Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has spoken out about his decade-long addiction to painkillers.
The 41-year-old nearly died while he was taking 2,500 milligrams of Tramadol a day, more than seven times the recommended dosage. In an interview with The Times Kirkland said he almost collapsed and experienced hallucinations after overdosing on the tablets.
The former England international has been sober for five months and said he now feels “fantastic”. He thanked his wife Leeona, friends and family for their help in his fight against addiction.
