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The 39-year-old stressed to People the importance of being able to "blow up" after separating from his wife and Scream 4 co-star last October.
He claimed: "I went through a really hard time, and my way of dealing with it was just to blow it all up.
"I did act childish, but at the same time I had to - I was really hurt. It was hard for me to deal with this, but what I had to do ultimately was step back and take a look at myself."
However, Arquette insisted that he is now trying to better himself as a person after the successful completion of a rehab stint.
"I'm really getting in touch with my feelings, and trying to process them in a more appropriate way," he said.
"My big deal is me starting to look at who I really am. I was living up to ideals that weren't necessarily who I am. What am I good with? What makes sense for me? Where's my true voice? I'm still learning."
Arquette's post-split troubles included a traumatic Hollywood car crash and a now infamous interview with Howard Stern in which he revealed scandalous details about his love life.
Cox recently claimed that Arquette is obsessed with sex.
Scream 4 is currently playing in UK and US cinemas.
Watch David Arquette and Courteney Cox in the trailer for Scream 4 below.
