Irish Olympian Emmet Brennan has opened up on his struggles with alcohol as he celebrates one year of sobriety.
In an emotional Instagram post, Brennan recounts a binge-drinking episode in New York City last year which forced him to take action and make a change in his life.
The Dublin boxer recalled the feeling of intense disappointment at what he deemed was his failure at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
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A year on, Brennan, who turns 32 tomorrow, is in a much better position in both his personal and professional life and has urged others struggling with alcoholism to get the support they need.
"1 YEAR OFF THE DRINK," begins his Instagram post.
"1st photo is from this time last year leaving New York I looked like I was high on life at the end of a 10 week bender but I was dying inside at the realisation of f***ing up opportunity after opportunity post Olympics.
"2nd and 3rd photo happy, healthy and living the dream.
"Fresh hikes, boxing full time, waking up and ceasing the day.
"I’ve always knew I had problems binge drinking from my early 20’s all the way up to post Olympics.
"The anxiety and fear not remembering what I’ve done the night before use to cripple me, then post Olympics I went on a 8 month bender not coping with the disappointment of what I thought was failure at the Olympics, not having a big goal in front of me, being injured and ultimately throwing away any chance or momentum that the Olympics gave me for alcohol.
"I went away to New York to try sign as a professional boxer but instead drank six days a week non stop for ten weeks straight.
"Coming back from New York I knew something had to change and decided to give up alcohol and get my life back on track.
"Since then I’ve had setback after setback but I keep moving forward with a clear mind and clear vision of where I’m going to end up.
"With this mindset and alcohol free I can’t be anything but successful.
"I’ve had so many doors shut in my face in terms of boxing over the past year but again this won’t stop me from getting to the top.
"Working full time, Co-running my own boxing business and training full time wouldn’t be possible if I was still drinking.
"If anyone is in a situation where they need change in there life DO IT take the step you won’t regret it.
"Anything is possible once you have clarity."
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