Tony Adams

Arsenal and England legend Tony Adams has done as much in his career to challenge the stigma around addiction as he has to make footballing history. From becoming sober very publicly back in the 90s, to setting up Sporting Chance, a charity that provides mental health support to current and former professional athletes, he's made it his mission to help others by sharing his story.

This Addiction Awareness Week, Bryony has teamed up with Action on Addiction and the Forward Trust to bring you a conversation each day tackling a different element of addiction. Because even though we are slowly breaking down the stigma around discussing mental health, addiction - sadly - remains a taboo, even though we will all know someone touched by it.

Tony tells Bryony how following a 12-step programme changed his life, how the new generation of footballers is battling a very different addiction, and why he's heading back to Chelmsford prison, three decades after serving time there.

Action on Addiction is a UK charity providing support to people who need rehab, as well as a wealth of resources for those battling addiction issues: https://www.actiononaddiction.org.uk |

Tony's charity, Sporting Chance, can be found here: https://www.sportingchanceclinic.com/ |

You can find more information about organisations that offer free and confidential support at the end of this episode.

Read Bryony's columns: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/bryony-gordon/ |

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