2 hours ago
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The former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes his wife, Coleen, helped save his life by managing his problems with alcohol.
The 39-year-old, United’s record goalscorer, says he was “struggling massively” with his drinking during his playing career and admits he would often do it for two straight days.
“I honestly believe if she weren’t there I’d be dead,” he told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. “I’ve made mistakes in the past which are well documented and whatever but I’m a little bit different at times and she keeps me on that path and she’s done it for 20-odd years.
“I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends and have a night out. It got to a point where I went too far – that was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively with alcohol. I didn’t think I could turn to anyone. I didn’t really want to because I didn’t want to put that burden on anyone.
“I just drank for two days straight. Come training and at the weekend I’d score two goals and then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again. She’s helped me control that massively. She’s managed me because I needed managing.”
Rooney told his former teammate he would arrive for United training after a boozy session and use eye drops, chewing gum and aftershave in an attempt to disguise the state he was in.
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In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
