Danny Murphy’s Candid Admission: Battling Cocaine Addiction After Liverpool Career
Danny Murphy, the former Liverpool, Tottenham, and England star, has opened up about his struggle with cocaine addiction after retiring from football. The 47-year-old midfielder, who earned nine England caps, hung up his boots in 2013 after playing for Blackburn. While Murphy has since become a successful pundit with the BBC, his post-playing career was marked by addiction.
Murphy revealed his battle with addiction on the Ben Heath Podcast, bravely sharing his experiences. He admitted to initially dabbling in drugs as a way to escape reality and cope with various problems such as financial issues, tax bills, and relationship difficulties. Without football to provide an outlet for his adrenaline and dopamine, these problems became overwhelming.
The former footballer admitted to using cocaine and smoking weed during this time, although he emphasized that he could live without alcohol. He described his addiction to cocaine as a period where he believed he couldn’t function without it, but later realized it was nonsense. Murphy acknowledged that his drug use escalated over time as he sought escapism.
In addition to Match of the Day, Murphy has also worked as a pundit for talkSPORT. After opening up about his cocaine battle, he spoke about seeking therapy to combat his addiction. He found help by surrounding himself with people who had been through similar experiences and undergoing therapy and group work.
Therapy proved to be beneficial for Murphy, as it helped him understand his behaviors and patterns. He acknowledged that therapy required a willingness to delve deep into one’s emotions, which not everyone is prepared for, especially those who have experienced trauma. However, the experience made him a better person, father, son, brother, and partner. Murphy now has a desire to continuously improve himself.
It is important to note that addiction is a common problem that many individuals face. Fortunately, there are numerous charities and helplines available to provide support. Some of these include FRANK, ADDACTION, Change, Grow, Live, SANE, Action on Addiction, and DrugFAM.
In 2021, Murphy wrote about how retirement hit him like a “sledgehammer.” Initially, he enjoyed his post-retirement life, engaging in activities such as playing golf, working in the media, and going on family holidays. However, the reality of no longer being able to play football, combined with the loss of his savings, led to depression. During this dark period, he turned to drinking, drugs, and gambling, which resulted in the breakdown of his marriage and strained relationships with his brothers and friends. Eventually, with the help of professional therapy and support from loved ones, Murphy was able to overcome these challenges.
Danny Murphy’s story serves as a reminder that even successful individuals can face difficult times and struggle with addiction. His openness about his experiences and the steps he took to seek help and improve himself are commendable. It is crucial for anyone facing addiction to know that support is available and that seeking help can lead to a brighter future.