PREMIER League stars are among 530 footballers being treated for addiction to drugs, alcohol and gambling and other mental health issues, figures reveal.
Last season, 80 professional players sought therapy for problems with illicit substances such as cocaine and nitrous oxide, as well as sleeping pills and booze.
Brentford Premier League star Christian Norgaard, pictured above, recently revealed he previously feared he was becoming addicted to sleeping tablets.
He said: “It’s a topic that has been going under the radar.”
Some have become addicted to using black market zopiclone tablets to help them sleep as part of their recovery from training.
The stars received treatment from the Sporting Chance clinic, which works with the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Of the 530 supported last season, 42 players got help for gambling addictions.
But these latest PFA figures for 2023-24 are said to be just the tip of the iceberg as scores of top stars seek help privately.
Officials are also increasingly worried about the prevalence of nicotine pouches, called snus — with one in five professional footballers admitting to using them.
And on Friday, it emerged two unnamed players tested positive for a banned substance immediately after games in the Premier League and Football League last season, according to UK Anti-Doping.
A dealer, who has supplied sleeping tablets to stars in the Premier League, said: “The main reason some players rely on them is because of their sleeping patterns.
“Some expect players to train twice a day and want them to sleep in the afternoon to recover. It’s hard when your body is wired.
“Other times they rely on them is when they have a big midweek game which kicks off at 8pm. They might not get home until the early hours.
“I know a few players who have tried to wean themselves off them but it’s hard.
“They go cold turkey and spend days suffering from acute tiredness — but also being unable to sleep.”
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