Snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed how a recent documentary about actor Charlie Sheen forced him to confront the darkest period of his own life. The seven-time world champion, who continues to dominate the sport approaching 50, admitted that watching Sheen's decades-long spiral brought back painful memories of his own struggle with addiction.
From Celebration to Spiral: The Addiction Journey
Ronnie O'Sullivan didn't anticipate that a Netflix documentary would trigger such powerful emotions, but Charlie Sheen's story resonated deeply with his own experiences. The snooker legend watched as Sheen described years of substance abuse and reckless behavior, recognizing patterns that mirrored his own past.
"I just watched the Charlie Sheen documentary and he went on for about 30 years. I got out earlier after three years. So I had a result!" O'Sullivan confessed, acknowledging the severity of his own situation during his early twenties. The familiarity of Sheen's story unsettled him, making him realize how close he came to losing everything.
Between ages 19 and 25, O'Sullivan experienced what he describes as the progressive stages of addiction. "The first two or three years of drinking were great. We had a great time. But it gets to a point where it's like fun, and then it's fun with problems. Then it is just problems," he explained with brutal honesty.
The Cost of Addiction: Damage On and Off the Table
The champion didn't mince words about the consequences of his substance abuse years. He admitted causing significant damage to both his professional game and personal well-being during that turbulent period. The effects lingered long after he overcame his addictions, leaving him feeling vulnerable and lacking confidence in various aspects of his life.
"I caused a lot of damage in those years to my game. Which caused a lot of damage to me off the table. I think I've become quite vulnerable, quite unconfident," O'Sullivan revealed, showing remarkable transparency about the psychological scars that remained.
His reflections come at a time when he's still producing exceptional performances, recently achieving the remarkable feat of hitting two 147 breaks in a single match during the Saudi Arabia tournament. Despite his advancing age, O'Sullivan remains competitive at the highest level, expressing his desire to win another World Championship title.
New Priorities: Dubai Life and Selective Tournaments
As O'Sullivan prepares for the UK Championship, he's making conscious decisions to protect both his mental health and competitive longevity. The snooker star has established a new base in Dubai, where he's finding balance and stability away from the pressures of constant travel and UK tax regulations.
His relocation means carefully planning his tournament appearances in the United Kingdom to avoid tax complications while managing the physical demands of long-haul flights. "I'll try and come back if I can. There's the flying involved, the expenses involved. It's not a short flight. Maybe next season I might play a few more in the UK," he told SportsBoom.
O'Sullivan confirmed he will skip the Masters tournament this season, focusing instead on selected events. "I'd love to play the UK Championship and the Tour Championship if I can. Probably just be two tournaments this year in the UK before the World Championship. It's hard with all the travel and all that. I'm not getting any younger, so I have to prioritize," he stated.
Even his dogs have adapted well to their new lifestyle in Dubai. "They go out there and chill in the sun. It's fine for them, everything's air conditioned so they're comfortable," O'Sullivan added, indicating that the move has brought positive changes for his entire household.
As Ronnie O'Sullivan continues to chase history in snooker, his openness about addiction and recovery serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges athletes face beyond the sporting arena. His determination to maintain personal well-being while competing at the highest level sets an example for professionals across all sports.
