Ex-Arsenal star Merson opens up about his alcohol-related problems of the past

Paul Merson has opened up about his alcohol-related problems of the past, saying  he 'had enough of living the life he was living.'

At the beginning of mental health awareness week, former Arsenal and England defender Merson spoke about how he now deals with everyday issues in contrast to what he would do in years gone by.

Merson's problems with alcohol and gambling have been documented but talking on Sky Sports' The Football Show, the 52-year-old spoke in detail about his issues and how he has learnt to overcome them.

‘I’d had enough of living the life I was living,' Merson said.

'Fifteen months ago, walking home from the British Legion on a Sunday evening and I was thinking "you know what, I’ve had enough of feeling like this every day of my life". It just happened.

'I rang up Alcoholics Anonymous the next day and I haven’t had a drink since thank god. I’d just had enough of feeling the way I was feeling, it’s not enjoyable.'

'You start working on yourself "why did I drink", and it’s ego and to pick the phone, before I’d had no situation of space. I don’t have drink indoors.

'If me and my wife did have an argument, I just don’t go to the cupboard and get a drink out, and a bottle of wine in 10 minutes.'