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Merson admits to more alcohol woes Aston Villa striker has relapsed in his attempt to stay sober
Posted: Sunday April 18, 1999 10:22 AM
LONDON (Reuters) -- England's Paul Merson, a confessed alcoholic, told a British Sunday newspaper that he had relapsed "big time" in his battle against drink. "I have relapsed big time and I am struggling," the Aston Villa player told the News of the World. "I can see it all slipping away." The newspaper said Merson, who confessed to alcohol and cocaine addiction in 1994 when he was at Arsenal, had not asked for or been given payment for the interview. It said the player broke down in tears as he admitted to drinking one and a half bottles of vodka during an eight-hour session in London. "After four and a half years without a drink I decided I needed one," he said. "I had been arguing with my wife Lorraine and felt lonely, so I went out and got sloshed." The News of the World quoted English Football Association executive director David Davies as saying he was saddened by the news: "Everyone has admired the way Paul has fought this problem. We will be talking to him to see what we can do." The newspaper quoted Merson say as saying his wife had asked for a separation three weeks before the incident and he was struggling. "I don't want money. I want my life back. I find it so hard at the moment," he said. "The problem ain't the drink, it's the problems that come with it." Merson spent six painful weeks in a rehabilitation clinic to cure his drink and drugs addiction in 1994. He told the News of the World that he was seeing a counselor again. "I've done wrong and I've got to start all over again," he said.
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