Chris Kirkland: 'If you have an addiction problem, don't wait – speak up'

Kirkland retired at the age of 35 after a career that included spells at Liverpool, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday. Behind the scenes, however, he was battling an addiction to prescription painkillers – a struggle he now speaks about openly as part of his work promoting improved support systems within football.

Now a mental health advocate and campaigner for improved support initiatives, the former goalkeeper helped launch the UEFA Take Care module on substance awareness, addressing a conference in Nyon and sharing his personal experience in the hope it can support others before it is too late.

The impact of addiction

Kirkland can trace the start of his addiction clearly and recalls it taking hold quickly, with medication dominating his daily life, both on and off the pitch.

"The first year was 2012, and after about three months I knew I was addicted," he said.

"The effects they had on me eventually were devastating – I became a totally different person.

"It was the first thing in the morning I would think about and the last thing at night. I used to take tablets onto the pitch. I knew what I was doing but I just couldn’t stop.

"If I didn’t seek help, it would have killed me – or I would have killed myself."

He believes that targeted education could have prompted him to speak out sooner, with more awareness needed to help players' mental health battles.

"If I’d been shown the Take Care modules during that period, it would have made me go: 'Wow, I need to ask for help,'" he said. "To prevent this type of thing from happening, information has to be as real as possible. If I’d seen something like this at the time, I like to think I would have spoken up a lot sooner."

Turning awareness into action

Take Care is a long-term UEFA initiative designed to promote healthier lifestyles and safer environments across football. Each module provides practical tools and guidance, with the one on substance awareness offering clear information and support for those affected by misuse.

Kirkland, who shares his experiences as an ambassador for the Liverpool FC Foundation, believes such resources can make a decisive difference for players, clubs and communities at every level of the game.

"You cannot underestimate what this can do," he said. "This will save lives – whether that’s at professional or grassroots level, in communities or families."

He also highlights the importance of support systems that feel accessible and judgement free.

"We all know that if somebody’s boss says 'come and see me', they probably won’t. But if something comes from outside, it helps. People contact me after talks who I’ve never met before. That tells you it works."

'Don't wait – speak up'

For Kirkland, one message stands above all others: silence only deepens the problem and recovery only begins when sharing the struggle.

"As hard as it is to tell someone you’ve got an issue – especially an addiction issue – don’t wait," he said.

"Don’t worry about what people are going to think. Speak up. Tell people you’ve got a problem. It doesn’t fix everything straight away. But once you ask for help, that’s when you can put things in place to get better – and people rally around you."

Tools for a healthier life

Substance abuse can have a profound and far-reaching impact on both mental and physical health, particularly among young people.

To raise awareness of the risks associated with alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances, module six of the UEFA Take Care programme provides guidance and practical tools to help build healthier habits.

The Take Care campaign also covers physical activity, nutrition, mental health, digital addiction and road safety, supporting national associations, leagues, clubs, stakeholders and schools in promoting health and well-being. Each module includes a scientific white paper, educational resources and multimedia content.

Kirkland hopes his story encourages others to take action earlier than he did – and reminds football of its responsibility to protect the people within it.

"If sharing my experience helps one person ask for help sooner, then it’s worth it," he says.

"You don’t have to face it alone – but you do have to speak up."