Arsenal legend Perry Groves bravely opens up about his battle with alcoholism

Perry Groves Opens Up About Battle with Alcoholism

Perry Groves, the former Arsenal legend, has recently shared his struggles with alcoholism. Groves, who scored 22 goals in 169 games for the Gunners between 1986 and 1992, winning two league titles, joined talkSPORT to discuss his journey to sobriety this year and his time in rehab after experiencing a breakdown.

However, Groves also hopes that his story will inspire others who are struggling with similar issues to seek help. During an appearance on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan show, the 58-year-old shared, “I have to say, I never thought it would happen to me. I never thought I would have the complete mental and physical breakdown that I had. I thought long and hard about it. [Jim White] is about 12 years [sober], I’m seven months sober today.”

As White congratulated him on reaching this milestone, Groves expressed, “I’m 58 [years old] now, and I believe that this is the biggest achievement I’ve ever had because I thought long and hard about coming on [air to speak about it].”

Emphasizing the Importance of Seeking Help

Groves emphasized that his decision to share his story was driven by the hope that it would help at least one person who is struggling with addiction. He stated, “But the reason I’ve come on is if it helps one person out there who listens to this, my story and they reach out for help, that’s what I did. As I say, I was completely shot, mentally and physically, had a massive breakdown, I was in denial, I didn’t for a million years think it was anything to do with alcohol.”

He also revealed that he received support from his former Arsenal teammate, Tony Adams, who had also battled alcohol addiction. Groves shared, “Then when I did [realize], I was lucky enough to go into Sporting Chance, Tony Adam’s rehab center that he started in 2000.”

Highlighting the Need for Support and Treatment

Groves acknowledged that he had a severe drinking problem and admitted to being an alcoholic. He emphasized that addiction is a disease and that seeking help is crucial. He said, “It’s a disease whether you’re a drug addict, a gambling addict, or whatever addiction you have. If you have alcoholism, it’s your brain, you don’t work in the same way a normal person does.”

The former Colchester United star shared that he didn’t drink alcohol every day, which made him believe he couldn’t be addicted to it. However, it was the morning after appearing on talkSPORT for a Premier League game that he experienced his breakdown, leading him to seek support.

Groves concluded by encouraging others in similar situations to reach out for help, stating, “The reason I’ve come on air is because no matter how bad – I’ve had mental health problems as well – no matter how bad you think the situation is, or how desperate you feel, there is help.”

He highlighted resources such as the Samaritans and AA meetings, as well as the support he received from the NHS and Sporting Chance. Groves expressed gratitude for the rehab program, stating, “I genuinely think they saved my life because I was going nowhere. I had nothing.”