Ronnie O’Sullivan has stated he “misplaced himself” for seven years to alcohol and medicines, and got here to study that “happiness is an inside job”.

He was stripped of the Irish Masters title in 1998 after testing constructive for hashish, and in 2000 entered rehab to deal with his addictions.

“There are large gaps,” the 47-year-old instructed BBC Radio 4 Immediately.

“I misplaced six, seven years to consuming and taking hashish. Then 4 years of coping with stuff away from the desk which I did not take care of very nicely.

“I wasn’t specializing in snooker. However I suppose everybody has these issues, however there’s 10 years there the place I did not actually do a lot. I did not practise a lot, I did not have the headspace to win.”

World primary O’Sullivan gained his seventh world title in 2022 however was knocked out within the quarter-finals of this yr’s match by eventual champion Luca Brecel.

Throughout his lowest factors, O’Sullivan – whose dad and mom have been despatched to jail throughout his teenage years – stated he relied on alcohol and hashish to “get by means of the day”.

“I misplaced my character and confidence and wanted to take substances simply to really feel like I might socialise,” stated O’Sullivan, whose newest e book Unbreakable was launched on Thursday.

“Then you definately get clear, and also you develop into awkward in social conditions and also you suppose ‘how do I take care of these conditions?’ You get a bit anxious and it began to have an effect on me in sure methods. How do I dwell clear?

“It was bizarre – I needed to study to do all that stuff once more. It took time however as soon as I acquired there, I realised you must carve out a distinct life for your self. Perhaps I am not fitted to X, Y and Z.

“My glad place goes working within the morning and I am going out with my working buddies, and I am cool with that. Put me in an atmosphere the place there’s numerous folks and I run for the nook.”

In 2013, O’Sullivan – who turned skilled on the age of 16 – stated he feared being caught by drug testers and “pushed his luck” between tournaments early in his profession.

He now sees snooker as “nice escapism”, with snooker halls the place he goes to “really feel relaxed and calm”.

“I at all times beloved my sport and that is what’s most necessary to me. That strips away any temptations of going out,” he stated.

“I believe going to rehab taught me happiness is an inside job, which I really consider. So since that second in 2000, I’ve at all times believed that.”

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