Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has admitted that he suffered from drug addiction during his playing career.
Kirkland said he had been taking a dose of tramadol for several years, which is equivalent to six doses of heroin a day.
“When I went to rehab, I found out I was taking the equivalent of six hits of heroin a day.
It's an evil, evil drug. He almost killed me, but he should have killed me.
It feels good at first. It makes you feel happy if you have anxiety or anything like that.
Yes, I've used it for pain, but most of all for anxiety.. But it spoils the psyche. After three months I realized that I had problems, that I had become dependent on him.
Eventually, you develop such a tolerance to it that it doesn't help anymore.. The body just requires it because you’re addicted.”
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The former goalkeeper said that he began taking this substance to treat a chronic back injury.
“I thought I would never get addicted.
I am strong enough to only take them when I need them, but it took over me, my body demanded more and more of them, and I became dependent on them.
The first year was easy. During the second season I took tramadol every day, more or less often. Lyona (Kirkland's wife – approx.) didn't know.
Chris also told how the first days passed after he finally gave up this drug.
“I wouldn't wish these seven or eight days on anyone.. I had hallucinations, constant sweating, cold, vomiting, pain and cramps all over my body.
I haven't slept in five or six days, basically.. Liona was sleeping in the next room because I was tossing and turning, and she came to check how I was breathing,” the Englishman concluded.
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