CREWE ALEXANDRA striker Omar Bogle has bravely opened up about his battle with addiction.
The 32-year-old became reliant on painkillers after suffering a back injury during pre-season last summer, shortly after joining Crewe from Newport County.
He was prescribed some painkillers by the club doctor to manage the issue and went on to make his debut in August.
However, the pain did not subside and he began sourcing medication from outside the club.
Things began to spiral and the striker started relying on “ridiculous” amounts to cope with the pain.
It led to him suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts.
Opening up about his ordeal for the first time, Bogle told BBC Radio Stoke: “It’s the shame and guilt that you get from knowing that you’re doing something that you probably shouldn’t be doing, or living your life in a way that you probably shouldn’t be, coupled with things not going right in your life at the time as well.
“It was coupled with, I’m not playing well, I’m not performing well, I continue to keep getting injured, and my relationships are going wrong in my life. The shame and guilt you get from that is enough to drive you to use more.”
Bogle went on to reveal how one meeting with his agent changed everything.
He also recalled a shocking conversation with doctors which made him wonder if he would have lived to see his 32nd birthday in July if he had not received help.
The striker continued: “He just said, ‘When I’m looking at you, I can’t see anything behind your eyes.’
“I’ve known him for over 10 years, so he’s family to me now, but like everyone else, he didn’t know the extent what I was doing.
“I knew I was using ridiculous amounts, but when they [doctors] tell me that ‘you’ve overdosed a gazillion times and you should be dead’ and all these things, I didn’t know it was to that extent.”
Bogle checked into a rehabilitation unit in early July and is now six months sober.
He concluded: “I’m great. Someone would have asked me that six or seven months ago, I would probably have said the same thing, but now I genuinely feel really good.
“Things are looking up for me, in all aspects of life, to be honest, and I can see a future for myself again.”
The striker has made two appearances for Crewe so far this season, scoring three goals.
He netted six times in 32 appearances for the club last term.
Bogle has also played for the likes of Grimsby Town, Wigan, Cardiff City, and Charlton in his career.
He has made over 250 appearances across the Championship, League One and League Two.
