Former Liverpool and England midfielder, Danny Murphy, revealed that he struggled with cocaine addiction following the conclusion of his playing career.
Murphy, who had stints with Crewe Alexandra, Liverpool, Charlton Athletic, Tottenham, Fulham, and Blackburn Rovers before retiring in 2013, transitioned into punditry after his retirement.
He currently works for BBC Sport and other outlets, including Talksport.
“When you don’t have football, problems become huge,” 47-year-old Murphy told the Ben Heath Podcast.
“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.”
Asked if he was addicted to cocaine, Murphy said: “For a while I was. 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.”
However, he noted that seeking support and undergoing therapy were crucial steps in addressing his challenges.
Beginning his career with Crewe Alexandra, Murphy joined Liverpool in 1997, where he spent seven years and was part of the squad that clinched the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup in 2001.
During his tenure at Anfield, Murphy earned nine caps for England.
After his time at Liverpool, he had spells with Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Fulham, where he helped the team reach the Europa League final in 2010. He concluded his playing career after a stint at Blackburn Rovers.
Reflecting on his post-retirement period, Murphy revealed experiencing a difficult phase initially but noted a positive shift in his mindset from around 2017 onwards, which fueled his desire for personal improvement.
He also highlighted that he found it common for former players to encounter similar challenges and expressed gratitude for the support he received from them.
Dr. Michael Bennett, director of player wellbeing at the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), emphasized that the union consistently assists members who face addiction issues, referencing Everton midfielder Dele Alli’s revelation about his sleeping pill addiction. Additionally, former Liverpool and Coventry City goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has openly discussed his struggle with painkiller addiction over nearly a decade.
“I’ve had some real depths of despair,” said Murphy. “There’s a lot more help out there now.
“I think there is more, but you can never get a failsafe system.”