According to Paul Gascoigne, he is currently homeless and struggling with alcoholism. The former England and Tottenham player resides with his agency while he battles problems with alcohol, gambling, and mental health.
In an interview with the High Performance Podcast, the 56-year-old courageously opened up about his struggles. “I used to be a happy drunk, but I ain’t anymore,” he said. I’m a depressed alcoholic. I drink indoors instead than going out to drink. All I have to do is head to the pub if I want to ruin my day. I take out my flying rod and go fishing if I want it to be a good day.
The after-effects are what matter, not the drinking. After that, when I check my phone and discover that I have thirty messages or missed calls, I know I’m in trouble. However, I’ve been OK. The previous year wasn’t very great; it was erratic for a few months.
“It was okay because I attended a meeting the other night. Only an AA gathering. It was alright that I went with a friend. They are all safe and inoffensive.
“People know Paul Gascoigne but Gazza, no one knows, even me sometimes,” the former England player continued. “I’ve been down for a long time; I missed four years of football when I injured my ligaments and then my kneecap. For England, I would have received 100 caps.
“I try not to feel depressed because I think there is enough depressing stuff in the world, and when I do get depressed, I grab a drink to lift my spirits.
“I don’t believe I disappointed any managers, players, or spectators, you know. If I disappointed anyone, it was myself. But after I was done playing, it was more about the drinking aspect.
“I called Katie [Davies] up in November a few years ago crying my eyes out,” Gascoigne continued. Having gone through what I and others had put myself through (prison and rehab, removing cocaine from toilet seats), I wasn’t sure how to react when I was asked to represent my nation.
“I rarely talk about football at these locations [speaking engagements]; instead, I talk about the weird things I used to do. I have to laugh them out of the room right away.
“I’ve shed a few tears on stage before. I have a tendency to be sensitive. Our tears come easily to us at times. I have a lot of material that I should share but am afraid to share with others. I don’t think I’ll ever mature, and that’s okay with me, you know?
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