Football legend’s emotional search for answers to addiction
PAUL MERSON’S drive for success, with an all-or-nothing attitude, meant that he was one of the best football players of his generation.
But those same risk-taking traits can be seen in his addictive personality.
“I’m an addict,” says the 53-year-old. “I’ve been addicted to alcohol and cocaine but, by far the most destructive and the only one I’m still struggling with today, is gambling.
“Gambling is the killer and it’s not going away. And that’s the scary thing.”
The Arsenal and England legend has lost more than £7m to gambling, betting away his fortune.
He lives in a rented home with his wife Kate and their three children,
Kate manages the finances, giving Paul pocket money. As this documentary begins, it’s been nine months since Paul’s last bet. But in a soul-searching journey, he sets out to understand why his life has been so badly blighted by gambling. He explores the relationship between gambling and football, and meets old friends, scientists and psychologists for answers.
He says: “In order to really move on, I need to understand why I do it and why it’s the one addiction I can’t seem to shake off.”
It’s an emotional start as Paul meets old Arsenal team mate Wes Reid.
When they received their first pay cheques as Arsenal trainees, Paul and Wes went to the bookies and Paul lost his entire week’s wages in 15 minutes
Breaking down, Paul says: “It’s in my brain, I have it every day of my life. That compulsion is there all the time.”