Former Mets pitcher Dwight "Doc" Gooden spoke for the first time since his second DUI arrest in the last two months when he addressed The Post reporters outside his house in Piscataway, NJ on Tuesday.

Gooden, who was arrested on Monday in Newark after driving the wrong way on a one-way street, acknowledged he needs help.

"Basically, I'm going away tonight to try to get some help to save my life," he said.

The 54-year-old has battled with drugs and alcohol his whole life, stemming back to his time as a pitcher with both the Mets and the Yankees.

His struggles with addiction resurfaced earlier this summer when Gooden was arrested on June 7 in New Jersey for driving under the influence and cocaine possession. He was charged with third-degree possession of a controlled substance as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.

"I'm very embarrassed. Very shameful. I feel bad for anybody I disappointed or let down," he said. "It's a struggle -- a hard struggle -- but you have to just jump back in."

Gooden first went to rehab for drug problems in 1987 at the age of 22.

"I'll be checking in tonight, whatever it takes," he said. "This time, I mean, at my age, I've been doing this for 30 something years. I never thought I'd see myself at 54 going back to treatment."

The former pitcher said he has had several teammates and friends try to help him, including Daryl Strawberry, who visited him as recently as last week. He also added that he had stopped taking his medication about four months ago, but did not want that to be perceived as making an excuse for his recent incidents.

"I got exactly what I deserved," he said.

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