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Jonjo Shelvey Reveals Sleeping-Pill Addiction He Says Harmed Relationship With His Children

The former England midfielder says isolation during an 18-month spell in Turkey led to a dependency on sleeping pills.

Overview

  • He disclosed the struggle on the Undr the Cosh podcast, describing how living alone in Turkey preceded his dependency.
  • He recounted taking three or four tablets after training, waking at midnight to take more, then reporting for training the next morning.
  • He said limited social options in a “Muslim-orientated” city left him bored and contributed to his reliance on the tablets.
  • He added that sleeping pills are easy for footballers to obtain and said he bought them from an online website rather than via club doctors.
  • He credits his wife, Daisy, with helping him quit, says his relationship with his children has improved, and he now plays in Dubai for lower-league side Arabian Falcons.