Former England international Jonjo Shelvey has given a raw and honest account of developing a serious addiction to sleeping tablets during a difficult spell playing football in Turkey.
The Loneliness That Sparked a Dependency
The 33-year-old midfielder, speaking on the UndrTheCosh podcast, explained that his move to Çaykur Rizespor from Nottingham Forest in 2023 led to the darkest period of his life. Living alone in the city of Rize, he struggled with isolation and a culture vastly different from the UK.
"I went to Turkey for 18 months and lived by myself and it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," Shelvey revealed. He described a daily cycle of returning from training with nothing to do, leading him to take pills simply to pass the time and sleep.
His routine spiralled dangerously. "I'd take three or four sleeping tablets and then wake up about 12 o'clock at night, pop three or four more," he admitted. A subsequent transfer to Eyüpspor in Istanbul did not break the cycle, as he continued to use the medication to combat loneliness.
Devastating Personal Consequences
The addiction had severe repercussions, most painfully on his family life. "To be honest, it destroyed my relationship with my kids," Shelvey stated. He confessed to being physically present but mentally absent during visits, a situation only rectified after his partner helped him confront the issue.
The pills also caused alarming memory lapses. He recalled waking up to find bizarre text messages sent to his Turkish manager, messages he had no recollection of writing, criticising team selections.
A Widespread Issue in Football
Shelvey's story echoes that of other high-profile players, such as former England teammate Dele Alli, who spoke about his own addiction in 2023. Psychotherapist Gary Bloom, who has worked in football, confirms the problem is "widespread, much more than people realise."
Bloom explained the vicious cycle where players use caffeine stimulants for matches, struggle to sleep afterwards, and are then prescribed sleeping tablets. Shelvey highlighted the frightening ease of access, having sourced the pills online and had them delivered directly to his home.
Now free of the addiction after support from his family, Shelvey, who most recently joined UAE side Arabian Falcons in September 2025, reported a dramatic improvement. "Ever since I've got off them my relationship with the kids has just gone bang!" he said, pointing upwards. His candid interview sheds a stark light on the hidden pressures and mental health challenges faced by professional athletes.
