Former Fulham captain Danny Murphy has revealed that he suffered with a cocaine addiction after he hung up his boots.
The ex-England international, who made more than 700 appearances in a career that saw him win the Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool in 2001, told the Ben Health podcast that his addiction hit home after he had decided to retire after a disappointing spell with Blackburn Rovers that followed his release from Craven Cottage.
“When you don’t have football, problems become huge. When you play football, the adrenaline and dopamine, all these things keep you forward-thinking and energetic. I had a spell on cocaine and smoking some weed. The drink, I could live without it. I wasn’t an alcoholic. I could sit in a house with alcohol and not drink it.
For a while I was [addicted] to cocaine. I got to the point where I thought I couldn’t do things without it. Which was nonsense, of course I could. You manage it initially, you might do it once a week, twice a week, give yourself an extra third day. Eventually it builds up and grabs hold of you.
I’ve had some real depths of despair, There’s a lot more help out there now, but you can never get a failsafe system.”
Loved Danny during his time at Fulham but not too sure I can have much in the way of sympathy. We make choices in life, some good and some bad, taking drugs to deal with not being in the limelight each week leaves me less than impressed. There are tens of thousands of people out there who daily have deal with far worse problems. Anyway, wish him well and a continuing recovery.
A bit of empathy goes a long way to making the world a better place David, maybe Danny being open with his struggles helps someone else out. I say thank you being honest and open Danny
Agree with David no sympathy here either.
When people finish in whatever it is job you have to just get on with your life.
Heard him on talksport some time ago saying he dislikes Fulham.When questioned on this he claimed Martin Jol didnt renew his playing contract which he thought he deserved. Grow up mate or as the Crystal Palace ex chairman said at the time “you are a pr**t mate thats just football”
On that basis wouldnt want to see the scouser at Fulham again.COYW
Two quotes: “Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.” And “Cocaine is God’s way of telling you that you have too much money.”