UK & World News
- 10 February 2013, 21:19
Paul Gascoigne In Intensive Care After Detox
Former England football star Paul Gascoigne has been taken to intensive care in the United States after his health declined.
The 45-year-old went to a clinic to help his battle against alcohol addiction but was taken ill and needed hospital care.
Gascoigne's former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Gary Mabbutt told Sky Sports News he had a bad reaction to a detox treatment at a clinic in Arizona .
He has been admitted to hospital for observation, but the indications were he was recovering and would soon be well enough to return to the clinic.
Mabbutt said: "Unfortunately over the last few weeks Paul has had a relapse, which culminated finally, last Monday, in Paul asking for help.
"By Monday afternoon he was on a plane out to Arizona to a clinic specialising in dealing with Paul's specific problems.
"The first thing he underwent was a detox, unfortunately Paul had a very bad reaction to the detox and the clinic decided that as a precaution it was best to transfer him to hospital.
"He was transferred to hospital in intensive care where they could monitor him 24-7.
"But I spoke to Paul's medical team in the UK this morning, they had spoken to Paul and he's recovering and hopefully soon he will be back into the clinic to continue his rehab.
"Over the years he has had a lot of support from the football family, but of course it could be a long road to recovery. Now Paul's asked for the help we can focus on getting through this."
Gascoigne's former England and Tottenham team-mate Gary Lineker tweeted this morning: "Gazza is struggling, Let's hope he can hang on in there. Others have generously offered help. #GetwellGazza."
TalkSPORT presenter and former England cricketer Ronnie Irani and Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans, a long-term friend of Gascoigne, organised his flight to the centre in Phoenix.
The move came following a charity appearance in Northampton during which Gascoigne appeared unwell and shaking.
He then broke down and sobbed on stage in front of a room full of fans.
Irani said last week: "I had a chat with Chris Evans and he just asked how we could help him.
Gascoigne, who has spoken about alcoholism problems in the past, was sectioned five years ago under the Mental Health Act.
Update:
Hello, regular commenting on Orange News and Sport pages closes on Thursday 30 May 2013. We will continue to provide a commenting facility on major news and sport events on orangeworld.co.uk. Contact us via http://oran.ge/OWfeedback if you have any further questions. Thanks.
what do you think?
davenlesley
How many more chances does this bozo want. He has had help from left, right and centre and still he boozes. Until he himself decides he wants to stop they are all wasting their time.
Juliecrumpton1234
Agree, dave, he alone pours that drink down his throat, he alone must be the one to stop..
GillieLouise
Dont think you will convince the great voting public Dave though what you say is true. Gaza has always been his own worse enemy..... I would have hated to have lived with him and yet he has all the sympathy.
davenlesley
Gillie. Very true. If he had been plain Joe Soap, wife beating drunk I am sure the reaction would have been different
Juliecrumpton1234
Gillie, you never said a truer word, I did live with an alcoholic father, as did dave...not easy! It's not that we are not sympathetic people, it's that we were victims as such, speaking for myself....to pour drink down your throat is that persons responsibility, I've little sympathy
Simon .
same as George Best - let him suffer and die without media attention - it's self inflicted and I have no sympathy for him whatsoever
Hector Gomez
Oh Simon, you're good hearted.
Emma Doolallytap
ouch Simon, lets hope this addiction doesn't affect anyone you know then. This guy is so far gone we should surely feel pity for his suffering-through his own actions he lost everything already and his life will probably be next.
Juliecrumpton1234
He and he alone has done this to himself! He obviously doesn't want help!
GillieLouise
Simon.... part of what you say is absolutely correct... however, its not nice to say "let him suffer and die" without media attention. Gaza himself has always demanded media attention, he has been interviewed so many times about his addiction, earned a lot of money for these interviews, vowed he was cured all to no avail.
Claire Powell
Such harsh comments, lets hope you all never suffer mental health problems. Hope he gets the help he truly needs.
Jo James
Well said Claire, so much ignorance on here
shirley sutton
He's been helped before and would the average guy in the street get the same chances as him and throw them away
Hector Gomez
I Hector Gomez agrees.
Jo James
There is help for all addicts, gazzas is highlighted because of who he is. At the end of the day he is the only one that can put to bed his demons. I feel sorry for him
davenlesley
Claire. Before you take the moral high ground you want to try living in a home with an alcoholic. I have and it ain't nice
Juliecrumpton1234
Me too, dave, can vouch for that! I have every sympathy with those who have mental health probs...pouring alcohol down your throat is what you choose to do
Louisa Gieldon
Mental health problems and drug and alcohol abuse often come as a package. That's why it can be so difficult to treat. When addicts sober up, their demons rise to haunt them and they reach for their "medicine" !
Juliecrumpton1234
Think me and davenlesley having lived with the devastating effects of alcohol have a different perspective, we too were victims, my father would foam at the mouth in an alcoholic rage, he punched my mum out, it was an awful childhood, I am very disdainful of alcoholics, I was scared by it, probably why I'm not sympathetic, I was a victim too, and dave, so don't judge what you've never lived with....
Andy Sillitoe
Get well soon gazza
Name witheld
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Lorgar Aurelian
He did it with a small balance and uring his career too.
rebel0931
I used to be of the same opinion it was self inflicted, yes he was rich and stupid enough to spend his money on booze, but like so many 'enjoyable' things over indulgence can then become an addiction. These become torments in your mind that you then feel you can no longer cope leading to mental health problems. Spiralling down into deeper despair. At least he has friends who care enough to help. Too many don't have that. Good luck Paul, get well soon.
Gary Wrightson
So true could happen to any of us
kevin
Until you step in another mans shoes its wrong to critisise
Hector Gomez
Nice principle, yet I never walked in Hitler's shoes and I feel compelled to criticise his policies.
Kelly Lovatt
Such a silly comment hector. Not right context at all
davenlesley
Kevin. Fair comment. Tell that to those who, unlike me have never lived with an alcoholic in the home and call me hard hearted for my stance.
Kerry Carline
Wow.so much venim here.i agree that he has had help so many times and never repaid it by staying sober.if he doesnt want the help then no there is nothing anyone can say or do to make him quit but would that stop you trying to help a friend or loved one in the same boat.it's a sad world if you say yes.
Louisa Gieldon
Agree Kelly, Harsh remarks and this situation can happen to anyone.
Hector Gomez
Get well soon Gazza, Gomez always enjoyed your football.
Andrea Hill
hope he pulls through to be.honest.
Juliecrumpton1234
Compassion?.....not like you, Andrea!
Kelly Lovatt
Too many harsh comments. People focus on outcome not the cause. I know someone so traumatised by something, alcohol was a release from the pain. What started as a glass of wine turned to 2 then bottles then harder liquor. Doesnt matter how much help u get. I wwould still help that person if they were here
davenlesley
Kelly. And what about the people who have lived with these unpredictable drunks just waiting for the flare up, are they not traumatised? It is like walking on eggshells every minute of the day
Gary Wrightson
Nice words kelly
davenlesley
Robert. Laugh if you like but believe me it is not fun and until you have experienced it you know nowt about it
Robbie369P .
I have experianced it, and hope you showed as much compassion as I did.
davenlesley
Robert. Fair enough. Mine was my father who made my mothers life hell. He was nasty drunk and like so many of them he was a different person when sober, that is until he reached the tipping point and then look out
GillieLouise
This is true Dave..... Gaza hasnt always been a nice guy as people have labled him. He has made a fortune speaking of his "cure" from this addiction. Its about time he was held accountable, sad as it is.
Louisa Gieldon
I have four family members who are/were drinkers and developed dependancy on alcohol. I wouldn't wish it on an enemy. Addiction holds nice people in it's grasp too and we shouldn't be so uncaring and judgemental. I was brutally honest with the addicts and alcoholics i worked with - i didn't soft soap them, but we need to see the people behind the addictions and stop being so high and mighty
movvi
I saw the speech he made in Northampton. Some fool thought it was a good idea to parade this shambling wreck of a man on a stage and some were even shrieking with laughter at some of his more shocking outbursts. Whatever your thoughts on alcoholics or addicts of any sort - this guy is close to death and it was an outrage. He has an agent? Then he should be ashamed of himself. It's good that Gazza has friends like those who stumped up the cash for the rehab. I hope someone would do the same for me, though I fear this one may be too far gone. By now he's not just a drunk and I doubt he'll ever have his full sanity again.
Louisa Gieldon
Movvi that sounds terribly cruel and shame on the people who laughed as a man disintegrated in front of them. I hope it never happens to them or to a loved one. I also fear he is too far down that road.
Sara Broughton
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
endofastorm
Very sad this is. Great footballer he was. I hope he can pull through.
Gary Wrightson
Good luck gazza remember he is a good man.lot's of bad people get help so why not him
Richard Gould
Just like the rest of us he had the choice to stop long before it got out of hand. He was arrogant and spoilt and just ignored advice.
Emma Doolallytap
Addiction must be vile. I think people are so horrible about Gazza because he's a rich ex-footballer but maybe if it was someone you knew or in your family you could feel more compassion. Sadly I fear he's not gonna beat this-it amazes me he's lasted this long really,
GillieLouise
Emma. I do understand your post but have to remind you that despite undertanding that this man does have an addiction, he too has earned thousnds in writing about his addiction and also in interviews. Because of his high profile he is not being a good example to any inspiring young man. Just like George Best all his treatment seems a dreadful waste. I too hope he can sort his life out but despite all the help he has I doubt it as its his choice.
Louisa Gieldon
I have no interest in football nor in Paul Gascoine. But i do have sympathies for the state he is in. All those who are so high and mighty to condemn people for addictions beware. Addiction destroys many nice people and none of them thought they would ever end up in that sad state. There but for the grace of God.........
HARLEY1974
Hope he can recover.The guy's a legend.Would be a shame to end up the same way as Best and just remembered for his alcoholism.
shirley sutton
4:44pm on 10/2/2013
I'm sorry but no sympathy for likes of him all self inflicted - got only himself to blame
davenlesley
5:18pm on 10/2/2013
Agree with you Shirley. I am a geordie myself but this idiot makes me cringe. People have tried so many times to help him but he always goes back to the booze. Thats what comes of having HAD talent but no brains.
Jo James
6:06pm on 10/2/2013
I'm shocked by the above 2 comments. He has an addiction. Do you think any alcoholic, drug addict wants to do that intentionally.....every part of his body will be craving and the mental aspect of it is the main demon. I suggest people,read his first autobiography...it may explain a lot about why he is the way he is. It is so easy for those of us who are of sound mind to judge but it can happen to anyone
shirley sutton
7:07pm on 10/2/2013
Would they pay for Jo blogs to go to a clinic in America for treatment and how many times are they going to help this guy
Jo James
8:53pm on 10/2/2013
I would hope as many times as needed. If you were in that position would you want someone to give up on you?
davenlesley
10:16pm on 10/2/2013
Jo. excuses, excuses, just like alcoholics come out with all the time. When you have lived in a home with an alcohoilc you can lecture me about being hard hearted, not before.
Juliecrumpton1234
10:14am on 11/2/2013
Agree with Shirley and dave, I also grew up with an alcoholic father, this guy has had the best of care, at what point do you accept the fact that he obviously does not want to get better...
GillieLouise
11:24am on 11/2/2013
Not many agree with you Shirley but I say well said.
davenlesley
11:40am on 11/2/2013
Gillie. I suspect many only see this from the alcoholics situation and not unaturally are sympathetic.They know nothing of the effect they have on family life and those around them They say alcoholics turn on those closest to them and that is absolutely right
Neil C
12:49pm on 11/2/2013
Cold words. Unless you witness this first hand, do not comment because you do not understand.
Juliecrumpton1234
1:13pm on 11/2/2013
Neil c...who are your comments aimed at?
Juliecrumpton1234
1:16pm on 11/2/2013
Jo james....it's easy to show compassion when you havnt spent your childhood suffering at the hands of a nasty alcoholic father! Gazza was a nasty piece of work when drunk!