Rob Ford has told the CBC's Peter Mansbridge he has quit drinking and found comfort in prayer. "I've had a come to Jesus moment, if you want to call it that," Ford told The National anchor in his office shortly after council voted to strip away the last of his responsibilities.

Ford appeared to be trying to minimize earlier admissions of drug and alcohol use, referring only to marijuana and driving after a glass of wine. "I've never been drunk and driven," he said.

"I'm not a drug addict, I'm not an alcoholic - I've shown up to work every day for the last 13 years straight as an arrow. I've returned everyone's call. Have I had some fun time on the weekend? Yes I have, and I think everyone has."

Ford said he realized he had to change when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty choked up talking about the mayor's troubles.

"If you don't see a difference in me in five months then I'll eat my words."

Watch more in the video below.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: CBC