Jonjo Shelvey reveals impact of addiction on family life
Former England international Jonjo Shelvey has shared that his time spent in a “Muslim-orientated city” significantly contributed to his addiction to sleeping pills, which he claims “destroyed” his relationship with his children, reports BritPanorama.
The 33-year-old midfielder recounted his struggles during an 18-month stint playing in Turkey, where he felt isolated and alone. “I was in a city that was a Muslim-orientated city. There was like three restaurants,” Shelvey said during an appearance on the Undr the Cosh podcast. He described how, upon returning home from training, he would take “three or four sleeping tablets” to pass the time until the next day.
Throughout his Premier League career, Shelvey represented clubs including Liverpool, Swansea, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest, earning six international caps. His decision to move abroad was influenced by the need for a fresh start but led to a dependency that he has since worked to overcome. Shelvey expressed the profound difficulty he faced being away from his wife, Daisy Evans, whom he married in 2015, and their three young children.
In discussing how he managed the stress, Shelvey reflected: “I thought instead of drinking I’d carry on with the sleeping tablets. So that would be a way of passing my time.” He noted his schedule during that period consisted of late-night binges on pills, which left him disconnected from family life: “To be honest, it destroyed my relationship with my kids.”
He eventually sought help, crediting his wife for assisting him in breaking free from the addiction. “Sleeping pills are very easy to access for footballers, via club doctors and online,” he noted, highlighting a systemic issue within professional sports. After a brief return to English football with Burnley, he has signed with Dubai lower league side Arabian Falcons, marking the latest chapter in his career and personal recovery.
It serves as a reminder of the pressures faced by footballers both on and off the pitch; while the spotlight shines brightly on their achievements, the shadows often tell a different story. Shelvey’s journey reflects a broader struggle in sports, where the line between performance and personal well-being can blur in unsettling ways.
