Danny Murphy: Former England and Liverpool midfielder says he was addicted to cocaine after retiring

Danny Murphy, who used to play for England, shared that he struggled with a dangerous dependence on cocaine once he stopped playing professional soccer.

Murphy, who played for Crewe Alexandra, Liverpool, Charlton Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, and Blackburn Rovers before he stopped playing in 2013, shared that he experienced a time of using cannabis.

The man who is 47 years old shared about his difficulties in coping with not being able to play football regularly.

Murphy spoke about the importance of football on the Ben Heath Podcast and mentioned that without it, issues can seem overwhelming. He explained that playing football helps release adrenaline and dopamine, which helps individuals maintain a positive outlook and feel energetic.

In the past, I was hooked on cocaine and also smoked marijuana. Although I didn't have an issue with alcohol, so I didn't miss it. Even if alcohol was present in the room, I could resist the urge to drink it.

When queried about his cocaine usage, he responded by saying that he was, indeed, addicted for a certain period of time. He reached the point where he felt incapable of functioning without it, although this belief was unfounded as he was perfectly capable of doing things without it.

"At first, you are in control of it. You may do it once per week, twice per week, or give yourself an additional third day. Gradually, it accumulates and takes over."

The use of cocaine at football stadiums in the Premier League is a clear and obvious issue. The behavior is certainly not discreet or hidden, and it is a significant concern for the sport's reputation. It is crucial that this problem is addressed and curtailed. The use of drugs, particularly cocaine, is highly dangerous and can lead to long-term health problems. Additionally, it is illegal and can result in serious consequences for those involved. Football is a sport that should be enjoyed by everyone, and the use of drugs at matches detracts from the overall experience. It is important that fans, players, and staff all work together to combat this issue and create a safe and enjoyable environment for all involved.

Murphy also stated that talking to people who had faced similar situations assisted him in overcoming the sense of embarrassment and regret that came along with his problems.

He expressed that there was a time when he suffered for about a year. He admitted that it wasn't an easy journey, but he believed that experiencing that hardship from 2017 to 18 months after has positively influenced his parenting skills.

Murphy began his professional journey with Crewe and later on, in the year 1997, he transferred to Liverpool where he played for seven years. Whilst playing for The Reds, he was involved in the team that lifted the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup in the year 2001.

Following his time with Liverpool, Murphy became a member of Charlton football team, then transferred to Tottenham in January 2006. He eventually moved on to playing for Fulham and played a pivotal role in bringing the team to the Europa League final in 2010. After completing his time with Blackburn in 2012-13, he retired from his football career.

On a global scale, he played for the England national team in nine games.

After ending his career as a footballer, he has undertook the role of an analyst for various platforms such as the BBC and talkSPORT.

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