Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has spoken out about his decade-long addiction to painkillers.
The 41-year-old nearly died while he was taking 2,500 milligrams of Tramadol a day, more than seven times the recommended dosage. In an interview with The Times Kirkland said he almost collapsed and experienced hallucinations after overdosing on the tablets.
The former England international has been sober for five months and said he now feels “fantastic”. He thanked his wife Leeona, friends and family for their help in his fight against addiction.
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In a video on Twitter Kirkland said: “I was on painkillers for eight and a half of the [last] ten years. It’s been a horrendous time, not just for me but for the girls... They have just messed me up completely.
"I feel fantastic as we stand, I went cold Turkey and got off them five months ago. Leona my wife was just incredible. It’s affected my mental health massively. Hopefully... It will resonate with people.
"You can do it but you can’t do it on your own. You have to ask for help. To stay in recovery I need the truth out there.”
Kirkland damaged his back when he was training at Liverpool after Steve Finnan jumped over him. The pain started to become more acute years later when he played for Wigan Athletic between 2009-2012.
During his time at the Lancashire club he started to take anti-inflammatory drugs to ease the pain. He told the Times that his back spasms reduced him to sleeping on the landing stairs.
In his third and final season at the Latics Kirkland lost his number one slot to Oman international Ali Al Habsi, who was purchased from Bolton for £4m. A year later the Barwell lad transferred to Sheffield Wednesday in search of first team football.
When he was in his early 30s at the Owls, statistically the peak of a goalkeeper's career, his back pain worsened. According to Kirkland, if he missed three games on the bounce due to injury he could have been booted out of the club.
The Guardian reported the opioids also helped him with his anxiety and the long drives to Sheffield. Kirkland finished his career with short spells at Preston North End and Bury, where his mental health hit a low point.
After he finished his career he went to a rehabilitation clinic in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, to treat his drug addiction. He started to take painkillers again during lockdown but Kirkland is off them again and is now five months sober, according to Twitter.
His interviews with The Guardian, Talksport and The Times have received hundreds of responses. The ‘keeper’s piece to camera on Twitter, where he explains his drug addiction to fans, has clocked up 138,000 views in three hours.
West Derby MP Ian Byrne posted on Twitter: “A brave statement @ChrisKirkland43 and I wish you and your family all the very best on the road ahead my friend.” Wellbeing coach Steve Reid said: "Well done Chris. Want to also mention you’ve been there for me when needed."
Former owner of Notts County Alan Hardy said: "What a legend! Incredibly, incredibly brave to tell his story I’m sure. Nobody really knows what some people are going through.”
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