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Finding Redemption: Soccer Legend Tony Adams Opens Up About His Struggle with Alcoholism
Tony Adams, legendary Arsenal defender and former England national team captain, is known for his prowess on the field. But his journey to success was anything but smooth, shadowed by a persistent battle with alcohol addiction.
Adams, candid about his struggles, speaks openly about the transformative role James W., director of Sporting Chance — the charity Adams founded — played in his recovery.
"He was my hero, healer, father figure and mentor. He saved my life and helped hundreds of people," Adams remembered after W.’s passing.
The year 1996 proved to be one of Adams’ darkest periods.
"I was 29 years old and I didn’t want to be on the planet," he confided in a poignant interview with The Guardian. An injury in February pushed him further into the depths of his addiction. "I knew I was completely [drunk] and it was the worst place I’ve ever been," he admitted.
That March, the brink of despair took a tangible form: Adams lost custody of his children.
"I didn’t drink around them, but I passed out one Sunday night. I drank seven bottles of wine," he shared. "That is why my mother-in-law brought my children to me.”
It was his mother-in-law, in a moment of profound compassion, who introduced him to James W. Adams initially found temporary solace in football, but the crushing blow of England’s Euro ’96 semifinal loss to Germany sent him spiraling downwards.
“We had the Euros and I managed to stay clean and sober thanks to football. When the [Gareth] Southgate missed the penalty against Germany in the semi-final, the alcohol returned to me. I went on a 44-day binge. At the end I was already seeing things coming out of the closets, I was paranoid. I thought someone was at home. I thought I was killing people," he recounted.
Finally, in August of that same year, Adams found refuge in Alcoholics Anonymous.
"She saved my life. In August ’96 I went to talk to James and join Alcoholics Anonymous. I have been clean for 28 years," he said, expressing his gratitude towards his mother-in-law.
Today, Adams remains a staunch advocate for recovery, pushing forward the mission of Sporting Chance while sharing his story.
“Right now I’m practicing what I preach. I have fully recovered, but I go to regular meetings and go to three or four prisons a year, delivering messages of help,” he said, embodying the spirit of perseverance and hope that his own journey represents.
Adams’ story resonates with the millions battling addiction both in the US and around the world, offering a powerful message of resilience and the possibility of redemption.
2024-12-02 09:56:00
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