Ric Flair's Fight with Alcohol Abuse and Second Lease on Life
SteemSports Presenter: @aaasports
SteemSports Editor: @ldauch
Ric Flair “I didn’t think I was an alcoholic, but obviously I was.”
On August 12th The 'Nature boy" Ric Flair was placed into a medically induced coma. Flair was in the early stages of kidney failure and on the verge of congestive heart failure – the result of years of alcohol abuse.
In his autobiography, Ric Flair: To Be The Man, Flair admitted to suffering from alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a weakening of heart muscle stemming from alcohol abuse.
With only a 20 percent chance of survival, doctors had no choice but to remove part of Flair’s bowel, and they were also required to insert a pacemaker. Now, in recovery at a convalescent center in Atlanta, Flair said the ordeal has scared the sh*t of him.
He needs round the clock attention and struggles to eat and drink by himself. He admits, “I didn’t think I was an alcoholic, but obviously I was.”
Flair’s problem with alcohol started while he worked to build friendships with his fellow wrestlers during the early days of his career in the 1970's. He says it helped them bond. he says, noting though, “I never drank when I was working.”
“But as soon as work was over, I went right to the mill,” he says, adding that he’s long struggled to “do anything in moderation,” and admitting to a failed rehab stint four years prior.
Alcohol also served as a tonic of sorts when it came to coping with his injuries and intense physical pain from his job. “I’ve never taken a pain pill in my life,” he explains. “I’d just take a shower, flip my hair back and go to the best bar in town.”
Now, the father of four says he is dedicated to doing better.
“I’ll never drink again,” says Flair. “I never want to go through this again.”
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Many of those these superstars have always been with alcohol.
We just know when the media blew it up.
A little too late to make habit changes in the twilight of his life, hope the nature boys enjoys the rest of his life in peace! Woooooo!
Better late than never... Getting a third lease might be too much to ask for at this point for the boy of nature.
Alcohol is not good for health
I couldn't agree more.
Excellent story to share and shine a light on this sad disease.
The fact that he was able to stay in such good shape whilst drowning himself in liquor is testament to how athletic wrestlers are. It's an intense industry and at least Rick got help before it was too late- if only the same had happened for Chris Benoit and Eddy Guirrero :(
WOOOOOOOOO!
Good on him for wanting to improve his life. Please, let's not lose another wrestler.
This is really shocking for me, I used to watch him wrestle and active and sane all the time. I see people start smoking and drinking just to create a good bond with their colleagues, which is so not good. People should know that it's their work and not the closeness that helps them succeed. Thanks for the share (Y)
I'm happy that modern wrestlers suffer less form addictions. WWE is mainstream now and has a wider acceptance than before. Also there is a lot of help around with peers and co workers who they can turn to rather than the bottle.
Kudos to Ric Flair for letting go of drinking. I'm a life long fan and when wrestlers go through the effects of being in the business we can really feel for them as a family.
Have you watched 30 for 30 documentary? It was fucking great