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NEW YORK (AP) - A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys has entered rehabilitation for depression and alcohol abuse, forcing the group to postpone the rest of its U.S. and Canada tour dates.

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.