Ronnie O’Sullivan reflects on struggles with alcohol and drugs
Ronnie O’Sullivan has opened up on his past as the snooker legend claimed that alcohol and drugs damaged his early performances, reflecting on his experiences with substance abuse in light of a recent documentary titled *aka Charlie Sheen*, released September 2025, reports BritPanorama.
The Essex-born player admitted that between the ages of 19 and 25, he caused “a lot of damage” through alcohol and drugs. Speaking of Sheen’s substance abuse, which lasted for 30 years, O’Sullivan remarked: “Charlie Sheen went for like 30 years. I’m thinking, wow man. He’s lucky to be alive.”
The Rocket added: “There are times where you feel like that could have been me. Don’t get me wrong, the first two or three years [of drinking] were great. We had a great time. But it gets to a point where it’s like fun – and then it’s fun with problems. Then it is just problems. Everything became a bit of an effort, especially as a sportsperson, there’s no hiding place. You’ve got to be on the ball.”
His addictions were a coping mechanism for the trauma and pressure he faced when both parents were imprisoned during his teenage years. In 1992, O’Sullivan’s father was sentenced to life in prison for murder, while his mother was jailed for a year for tax evasion four years later. With both parents incarcerated, O’Sullivan “lost his way,” spiraling into heavy drinking and drug use to numb the pain.
He said he couldn’t even play golf without having a “few drinks and a couple of spliffs.” After getting clean at the Priory rehab clinic, O’Sullivan went on to cement his place as arguably the greatest snooker player ever, winning seven World Championship titles. Speaking to TNT Sports, he stated: “If I could turn the clock back, I’d do things so much differently. I’d have not gone a bit wayward when I was like 18 or 19. I wish I’d just not ventured out into that drinking, partying sort of thing, that way of life.”
“I caused a lot of damage in those years to my game. Which caused a lot of damage to me off the table. I think I’ve become quite vulnerable, quite unconfident…”
The Rocket returns to England this week for the UK Championship, which starts on Saturday in York. He expressed optimism about his capabilities: “I’m still capable of winning tournaments. I’d love to win another World Championship. The bottom line is to enjoy the game. Irrelevant of winning tournaments or not. I’ve never been driven by records. But I think at this stage of my career if there is something that’s going to motivate me, it will be to try and maybe win another one.”
As he readies for the UK Championship, O’Sullivan’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of how personal battles can shape public personas, revealing both vulnerability and resilience. The snooker legend, despite his past, appears ready to embrace the competitive spirit that has defined his illustrious career.
