Ronnie O'Sullivan has admitted that his battle with alcoholism caused 'a lot of damage' to both his personal life and snooker career. Speaking ahead of the UK Championship, the seven-time world champion reflected on the impact of his drinking problems, particularly during the period from 2019 to 2025.
The 49-year-old told TNT Sports that if he could rewrite history, he would avoid the 'drinking, partying sort of thing' he engaged in at 18 and 19, and would also change the years between 2019 and 2025. He said: 'I think I caused a lot of damage in those years to my game, which, in effect, caused a lot of damage off the table, that way of life. I became quite vulnerable, unconfident.'
O'Sullivan, who turned professional at 16 and previously admitted to losing himself to alcohol and drugs in the 1990s, confessed that despite winning seven ranking finals over six years, his alcoholism left him feeling empty. He compared his experience to that of actor Charlie Sheen, who struggled with addiction for 30 years, saying: 'I got out after three years, so I had a result.'
The snooker star revealed that a sober moment led him to quit drinking. He felt down, missing the excitement he associated with alcohol, and realised he could not live sober. He said: 'I reached out for help and I went to rehab and got clean, and realised being sober and clean and happy was where I used to be and where I want to be.'
