MERSON'S MISERY
Paul Merson’s ‘life has fallen apart’ after gambling left him ‘like a crack addict’, admits Arsenal legend
TEARFUL Arsenal legend Paul Merson has admitted his "life has fallen apart" after a gambling relapse left him feeling "like a crack addict".
The ex-England soccer ace, now 50, notoriously lost £7 million on his booze, drugs and betting problems in the 1990s.
Paul Merson wiped away tears while talking about his gambling addiction in a new ITV documentary called Harry's Heroes
The Arsenal midfielder lost millions of pounds to his gambling and partying habits during the 1990s.
But he reveals he has been gripped by gambling again in a new ITV documentary due to be shown next week.
Dad-of-seven Merson broke down as he told producers: "I'm struggling with life at the moment, struggling badly.
"Life's fallen apart - gambling...I've just completely lost control, I've completely, again.
"I'm digging a hole - I can't get out of it.
"It's the worst addiction in the world."
Merson, who placed his first bet aged 16 with his Arsenal pay packet, told the programme he was still being given credit and bets by bookies DESPITE his well-known addiction
He said he had wagered money on football, basketball, snooker, cricket - but never horse racing - and described his urge to bet as "relentless".
He added: "It's so tiring it's unbelievable.
"Mentally draining, just sitting there, thinking where am I going to get more money to do this?
"It's like...it's literally like a crack addict. It is like a crack addict. "Exactly like that.
"But, with crack, you couldn't spend that kind of money on crack, it's impossible. Impossible."
Merson once told how he blew £20,000 in a single weekend and saw his first marriage break down in 1996 because of his problems.
In the ITV show, called Harry's Heroes, he is one of 13 ex-England heroes trying to get fit again under ex-Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.
Merson misses a training camp abroad because of his relapse and is filmed meeting ex-pro Drew Broughton, who has also battled addiction issues.
I'm digging a hole - I can't get out of it.
Paul Merson
Merson told him: "If I'm being honest, I'm struggling at the moment, really am, with the gambling.
"I find it very difficult. I'm back to virtually where I was many years ago.
"Sort of like now I'm just sort of like constantly gambling all the time and I don't like myself. And it's scary.
"My life should be good.
"It should be good. It should be like, two lovely kids, a lovely wife and my life should be good.
"And it's literally going like that and I mean quickly and worryingly.
"And in the cab on the way here I broke down. I've had enough."
He added: "It's got to that stage now. There's got to be something wrong with me.
"I've been in treatment, I've done it a few times. I've been to Arizona.
"You know what, it was unbelievable at the time. It was unbelievable what they did.
"And that's what scares me that I still went back and done what I've done now."
