Aaron Connolly thanks fans for 'love and support' after alcohol struggle revelation
The Sunderland striker revealed earlier this week that he has struggled with alcohol in the past
Aaron Connolly has taken to social media to thank fans for the 'love and support' that they have shown in the wake of the revelation that he has struggled with alcohol issues for the past five years.
Speaking in an interview posted on Sunderland's social media channels, the Black Cats attacker revealed that he had checked himself into a rehabilitation centre during the summer to try and get over his alcohol addiction.
Connolly has received huge amounts of praise for his honesty and bravery, with many thanking the Ireland international for sharing his story.
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Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Connolly wrote: "Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all the love and support they’ve shown, If sharing my story has helped even just one person then I achieved exactly what I’ve set out to do."
In an interview released by Sunderland on World mental health day last week, Connolly spoke about how he struggled to deal with the fame that came after he burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old in 2019 for Brighton against Tottenham Hotspur when he scored two goals against Spurs on his full debut.
“I had problems off the pitch and it was highlighted a lot. I lost track of myself, lost track of why I was playing football, chasing things that I was never chasing before that Tottenham goal," said the 24-year-old.
“It was obvious I had a problem with alcohol. I had my parents who never drank and would always advise me whenever I went out to stay away from it because of addiction to alcohol in my family.
“I didn't listen, it got me in a lot of trouble. It became something I relied on. My buzz used to come from football, scoring goals, winning games."
After a whirlwind start to life in the Premier League, Connolly's form faltered and he left Brighton after a string of unsuccessful loan spells in 2022.
He spent last season on loan at Hull where he scored a season best eight league goals, but off the pitch, his life was unravelling.
“It got to a point where the buzz was more from drinking alcohol. I used to look forward to the games finishing so I could have time to go and get drunk.
“I decided at the end of July that it was too much, I couldn't do it, live the way I was doing. It was killing the people around me, family and friends. Mainly it was killing me. I had one of my best seasons at Hull last season but off the pitch my life was a mess.”
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“The manager there looked after me and always tried to help but it got to the point where my life was unmanageable.
“I made the decision that I needed to go to a treatment clinic, and I was there for a month. It wasn't about the football, it was about my life. Everything was falling apart.”
On why he decided to go public with his struggles, Connolly said: “It's important for me to talk about this… I hope it will help people.
“I had everything a young boy could dream of but I couldn't get hold of my addiction. It was the toughest thing I've ever had to do. It was the best and worst month of my life. I learned so much.”
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