The other four members of the boy band - Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter and Brian Littrell - announced the news Monday on MTV's ``Total Request Live.''

All four were choked up discussing the troubles of their 23-year-old bandmate, as were teen-age members of the live studio audience.

``When you're trying to help someone who has a serious illness, they have to help themselves first before they can really receive help. They've gotta really want it,'' Littrell said.

``He came to us yesterday for the first time. I heard him say, `Guys, I have a problem and I need to get help.' We figured this was the best for him. It's all about him being healthy.''

Richardson said McLean, a native of West Palm Beach, Fla., would enter rehab for 30 days for ``depression, anxiety and his excessive consumption of alcohol.'' It's unknown where he'll receive treatment.

``We didn't want to lie about it. We didn't want to push it under the rug,'' Richardson said. ``We want to be honest with our fans. He's getting help. He's going to be better.''

Earlier Monday, the Backstreet Boys announced they were postponing remaining sold-out concerts at Boston's FleetCenter this week after Carter, 21, injured his hands on Saturday.

``Black and Blue,'' the latest album from the Grammy-nominated group, has sold 8 million copies since it came out in November.