Bradley Wiggins says he is ‘lucky to be here’ after revealing cocaine addiction

Sir Bradley Wiggins has revealed helium became addicted to cocaine pursuing his status from cycling and is “lucky to beryllium here”. The 2012 Tour de France victor and five-time Olympic champion said his children wanted to enactment him successful rehab amid fears the contented could beryllium fatal.

Wiggins, a begetter of two, is present 12 months sober, attends regular therapy sessions and feels “a batch much astatine peace” with himself.

“There were times my lad thought I was going to beryllium recovered dormant successful the morning,” helium told the Observer.

“I was a functioning addict. People wouldn’t realise. I was precocious astir of the clip for galore years. I was walking a tightrope. I realised I had a immense problem. I had to stop. I’m fortunate to beryllium here.”

Since ending his vocation successful 2016, Wiggins has spoken astir his father’s jealousy and being groomed by a manager arsenic a child. The 45-year-old, who past twelvemonth was declared bankrupt, said disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong has helped him with his recovery, including offering to wage for therapy.

“My addiction was a mode of easing that symptom that I lived with,” said Wiggins, according to Cycling Weekly. “I’m inactive figuring a batch of this retired but what I person got is simply a batch much power of myself and my triggers; I’m a batch much astatine bid with myself present which is simply a truly large thing.”

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans tin beryllium contacted connected 116 123 oregon email jo@samaritans.org oregon jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the situation enactment work Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other planetary helplines tin beryllium recovered astatine www.befrienders.org.