Chris Kirkland on his addiction to painkillers: 'You become a totally different person'
Chris Kirkland says he did not want to leave Wigan for Sheffield United in 2012, and admits that is when his addiction to painkillers took effect
I did my back at Liverpool and I wasn't on anything then. It wasn't until I moved to Wigan in 2008-09 I started to get back spasms. I was obviously desperate to play and got given pain killers. Not a lot but two or three day's worth to get over it initially. I was just desperate to play that first game to make sure I didn't get hammered in the press so I took them [pain killers].
In 2016 I went to Bury and I should never have signed for them. That is when I was at my worst and I told the owner I was struggling. We got help, initially off the Professional Footballers' Association , and I stopped taking them for about a year. I was aching and feeling sick and the withdrawal symptoms were the worst thing I have ever been through. I got through it thanks to my wife and daughter and I feel great. I knew the story would come out and now is the time.Kirkland says it was easy to cover up his secret as he was often travelling on the road and could order more painkillers off the internet.