Troubled Kiwis star Foran reveals he tried to kill himself
Kiwis league star Kieran Foran says he tried to take his own life and stresses rugby league ‘‘is the farthest thing from my mind at the moment’’ as he battles through personal issues.
The Eels have granted Foran a release less than a year into his fiveyear $5m contract as he looks to get his life back on track.
In a lengthy interview with Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, Foran spoke openly about his problems with gambling and drinking and the toll the breakdown of his relationship with long-term partner Rebecca Pope has taken.
The 26-year-old revealed he tried to overdose on pills last April. ‘‘The intent was there,’’ Foran said. ‘‘I wanted out. About 1.30am I remember driving in my car, thinking in my head what way I was going to kill myself.
‘‘I ended up driving back to my apartment, where I was staying in the city. I had a batch of left-over pills that were pain-killing medication. I tried to basically overdose.
‘‘I remember the week vividly. I had been struggling, I had a lot going on. Trying to work through my relationship breakdown, with two young kids, with my ex-partner, while juggling football.
‘‘I just wasn’t coping. I could see I was starting to lose hope on life, really. I just couldn’t see that light at the end of the tunnel.
‘‘I just remember one late Thursday night it all got too much for me.
‘‘I can’t remember the exact amount [of pills I took]. It was a handful. I remember getting told the next day by the nurses that it wasn’t enough to kill me but definitely enough to make me crook.
‘‘At the time I was hoping that it was gonna do the job. I’m grateful I’m here today but I remember waking up the next morning wishing that it had worked.’’
Foran admitted gambling ‘‘has been a part of my life for a long time’’ and he had turned to that and drinking ‘‘to deal with my issues’’.
He believed he was turning his life around.
‘‘I would say in the last two weeks I’ve noticed a drastic improvement. I think those around me have noticed a drastic improvement in my overall persona. I’m smiling again. I’m starting to laugh again. That’s something I haven’t done for years.’’
He hasn’t put a time frame on any possible return to league.