The 23-year-old American has admitted that the photograph, published in Britain's News of the World last Sunday, has put pressure on him and his family.

 

In an interview published today with his local newspaper, the Baltimore Sun, he said: "Seeing my mom reminded me of how it was the day [in 2004] after I got my DUI [driving under the influence], and I swore to myself I'd never do that again.

 

"This is just a stupid thing of mine that I did, and I have to live with it."

 

Phelps claimed that it has made him re-assess whether he wants to remain in the public spotlight.

 

He told the newspaper: "This is a decision of mine that I'm not going to make today and I'm not going to make tomorrow.

 

"It's going to require a lot of time and energy and a lot of thinking for myself.

 

"But also talking to [coach] Bob [Bowman] and talking to my family and just deciding what I want to do.

"Yeah, there are still goals that I have in the pool, 100 percent.

 

"But I'm not going to let anything stand in my way.

 

"If I decide to walk away, I'll decide to walk away on my own terms.

 

"If it's now, if it's four years, who knows.

 

"But it is something I need to think about and decide what I want to do."

 

Phelps, who has been warned by authorities in South Carolina that he could still face criminal action over the picture, allegedly taken last November, has found it hard having to deal with the glare of publicity.

He said: "I've been waking up to guys yelling into megaphones outside my window at 7 o'clock in the morning.

 

"I've been through just about everything you can go through.

 

"I've had paparazzi people following me from my house to my mom's house.

 

"People knocking on the door.

 

"It's crazy."

 

Phelps denied that he used marijuana regularly.

 

He said: "This was stupid, and I know this won't happen again.

 

"It's obviously bad judgment and it's something I'm not proud of at all.

 

"I will say that with the mistakes that I've made in my life, I've learned from them.

 

"Every one of them.

 

"And I've become a better person.

 

"That's what I plan to do from here. It's definitely not what I wanted, and it's clearly not what my mom wanted.

 

"I think this is like the DUI, in that it's something I can talk more about and make sure that nobody makes the same mistakes I made.

 

"What I've gone through in the last week, no one wants to go through."

The negative publicity has coincided with Phelps returning to the pool to resume full-time training after a long period off following his performances last year in Beijing, where he won eight Olympic gold medals, breaking Mark Spitz's 36-year-old record.

 

He said: "It makes me happy.

 

"It's a part of me I've always had, and I always been happy doing it.

 

"I like getting up in the morning and having something to do.

 

"On Monday we get back to two-a-day [practices] and I'm looking forward to that.

 

"I feel more comfortable here [in the pool].

 

"This is my home."

 

The incident, however, has been a timely wake-up call for Phelps of his responsibilities and to be careful who he associates with.

He said: "There are always people you can't trust.

 

"During the whole thing,

 

"I've really been able to see who my friends are, who my family are, and who really loves and supports me.

 

"They've stood by my side, from the countless text messages, phone messages, e-mails, those are your friends.

 

"All those people who are around during the good times?

 

"Those aren't your friends."

To read the full article visit http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/olympics/bal-michael-phelps-talks-204,0,7428864.story?track=rss.