Former England international Paul Gascoigne, popularly known as Gazza, has revealed that he has nearly died 19 times over the past 18 years, as he opened up on his drinking demons.
The legendary footballer sparked fears for his well-being when he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act a month ago after suffering a relapse in his alcohol rehabilitation.
But a relaxed and healthy Gazza, while discussing his ongoing battle with booze, revealed that this time, he knew that he was in trouble straight away so he tried to put a block on it, and was just detoxing in his house, The Daily Star reported.
He added that then all of a sudden, he just felt that he was set up by a few people, and carried on drinking.
However, Gazza doesn't believe that his drinking problem is as bad as people believe. He reckoned that he has only been drinking for a year and a half out of the past 18 years, but then joked that he had nearly died 19 times.
Gazza, who has been to rehab seven times, also explained that ditching alcohol isn't as easy as people think. He said that he thought it was craving for a drink, it's not, it's obsession.
He added that once the obsession is gone, one is alright. But he also said that when one has no drink left, one gets the cravings, and the cravings are bad.
Gazza said that it is like if he had a drink this morning and he was talking to now, he wouldn't be listening. He claimed that his head would just be asking him to 'have a drink'.
Gazza claimed that he didn't ask to be an alcoholic, adding that he just is.
