Liverpool cult-hero opens up on his struggles with ‘cocaine addiction’

Liverpool cult-hero Danny Murphy reveals that he became a cocaine addict after his playing days

Liverpool cult-hero Danny Murphy has revealed he battled a cocaine addiction after retiring from football. Murphy, now 47, joined the Reds in 1997 from Crewe Alexandra.

He spent seven seasons at Anfield and was part of Gerard Houllier’s treble-winning team in 2000/01. After winning the club’s Player of the Year award in 2002/03, he fell out of favor with new manager Rafael Benítez within a year.

Murphy joined fellow Premier League team Charlton and also played for Tottenham, Fulham, and Blackburn before retiring in 2013. He says he failed to adjust to his new life after retirement and turned to narcotics.

Murphy speaks about his addiction

Murphy claimed that he went through “a year of pain” while battling his addictions as he spoke about the folks he met in group therapy. He said on the Ben Heath Podcast (h/t Daily Star):

“For a while I was yeah [addicted to drugs], because I got to the point where I didn’t think I could do things without it. It was coke with me, 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.”

“But what you do, anyone will tell you, with any drug or addiction, you manage it initially. You might do it once a week, twice a week, give yourself an extra third day and then it just quickly (spirals). When I got help I put myself around people who had been through it.”

“I probably had a year of being in a world of pain and they kind of look at me and go, ‘You know what you should be really grateful you have only had a year’. And I’m like, ‘I’ll listen to that I’ll take the good’.”

He explained that he could manage without drinking; it wasn’t a significant issue for him. However, when it came to cocaine, it was a different story. He reached a point where he felt unstable if he had to go without using drugs for an extended period.

Murphy mentioned on the podcast that he grappled with his alcohol and drug addiction primarily because he was afraid of the shame associated with it. However, he managed to overcome this hurdle when he eventually opened up to others who were facing similar challenges.

He emphasized the positive impact of group support, noting that attending group meetings introduced him to many individuals struggling with addiction, whether it was related to alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

More Liverpool news

• Liverpool star does not dwell on praises and is determined to succeed on ‘the mission’
• Revealed: How much will Liverpool have to pay to bring in Ruben Amorim as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement
• Jurgen Klopp points out the ‘dumbest thing’ Liverpool can do in the title race vs Arsenal

The positive outcome is that the legend is now completely sober and acknowledges that he was able to overcome his addiction in a relatively short period of just one year. He has transitioned into a successful pundit and continues to lead a healthy lifestyle.