Fredy Guarin, a 37-year-old former Colombian midfielder who retired in 2021, admitted in an interview with Semana magazine that he has a serious drinking problem and is on the mend. The former player, who played for Porto from 2008 to 2012 and also played for clubs such as Inter and Saint-Etienne, ended his career with Millionarios when his life was already at a very difficult stage.
“When I retired, especially because of the way I retired, I didn’t know what to do next. For 20 years I dedicated myself to football because it is what I know how to do. I didn’t prepare for other things, I was helpless and made decisions that were wrong,” began the former footballer, who in April 2021, when he was still defending the Colombian team Millonarios, was accused of attacking his parents.
“The truth is that I lost my way and decided to abuse alcohol. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, made hasty decisions, and hurt a lot of people. I was a social alcoholic for several years. When I left Millonarios in 2021, I reached a deep point in my addiction, I lost my dignity, my close social circle, the trust of my loved ones, in addition to the most important and valuable thing I have – my three children, I lost a lot of things . sentimental value, love value to such an extent that I could not continue in the same spirit, I had to seek help again, I had already tried several times, but with relapses,” continued the former player.
Guarin admits he has hit rock bottom. “Alcohol has always been the worst trigger of everything I’ve seen. I’m a 100% alcoholic, I admit it. But I’m a recovering addict and learning is a great motivator. I did it [a reabilitação] to regain my trust, the trust of my children and my family. The main thing was to project and accept yourself. I couldn’t do it alone and let them help me. I have already knocked on the gates of hell and saw that this is not the best.”
Alcoholism destroyed his marriage and separated him from his three children. “I lost them, but they never lost me: they were there, they prayed, they tried. My parents were, are and will be next to me, always with love, and this makes me very happy. My children and I are part of this process, I am trying to get them back. They are still in their place,” he admitted.
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Source: CM Jornal
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