The sad cause of James Slipper’s depression and drug use revealed

IT began just after his season-ending achilles injury last year. Then respected Wallabies prop James Slipper got the worst news of his life before he tested positive for cocaine.

James Slipper has been suspended and fined after two positive cocaine tests.

IT began just after his season-ending achilles injury last March.

James Slipper began to feel the presence of the black dog, but failed to recognise what it was.

The turmoil of the Queensland Reds’ five seasons from hell, in which four coaches came and went and Slipper was captain of the sinking ship, began to take its toll as he fronted the long and lonely road of rehabilitation.

Then the 28-year-old sustained the heart-wrenching blow last September when his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

His mental illness spiralled and saw him dabbling in cocaine, which he tested positive to in February - a result kept confidential as a first offence - and then test positive again in March, leading to a two-month ban from rugby and a fine of $27,500.

Slipper, who was advised by a psychologist not to face media on Thursday when news broke because he is too emotionally vulnerable, said in a statement he will overcome his depression.

James Slipper has been suspended and fined after two positive cocaine tests.

“The advice is that I will make a speedy and total recovery,” Slipper said. “In no way do my personal circumstance excuse my actions, but I recognise now that I was not coping and that I need to properly address these wellness issues.”

Rugby Union Players Association boss Ross Xenos said Slipper’s plight is a timely reminder to any athlete confronted by depression to speak rather than self-medicate.

“James is dealing with some very challenging personal circumstances, he is dealing with a very serious illness in his close family, he’s dealing with several injuries that have come up over the last 12 months, he’s been struggling the ongoing obligations of a leader amid some very challenging cultural times at the Reds,” Xenos said.

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“While none of that condones his actions and behaviour, it is a bit of an insight into the factors that led him to become depressed.

“He’s received professional medical support which has verified that he is suffering from mental ill health.

“There were some subtle indicators that maybe could have prompted us to ask further questions [last year], but the challenge of the stigma that sits around mental health, for all the work we’re doing to break that down, is such that players do feel the need to maintain the tough persona of a professional rugby player.

pic.twitter.com/1CCSjraozc

— James Slipper (@JamesSlipper) May 24, 2018

“I hope this announcement acts as a deterrent to make clear that illicit drugs have no place in sport, but also to encourage any professional athlete that may be battling their own mental health issues to speak up and seek help in advance of making poor life decisions.”

Xenos said being “the rock” for his family and teammates during turbulent times was too much for Slipper to bear.

“James and his entire family are very close,” Xenos said.

“James is very proud of his achievements for the Reds and Wallabies, and with that comes his positioning within his family and within the rugby community as someone who is looked to for support.

“So he’s been the rock for his family, and also his teammates with everything that’s been happening at the Reds.”

James Slipper has been a loyal servant for the Wallabies and Reds. Picture: Mark Evans

It’s understood Slipper - the first player to test positive twice to in-house testing - was not part of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s plans for the June Test series against Ireland despite having played 86 Tests and 95 Super games for the Reds.

Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said organisations can only begin to help individuals struggling with mental illness if they are willing to expose their situation.

“That’s one of the things about depression, people work really hard to hide any mental health or depression challenges they have themselves for a very long time before they’re prepared to front it and that’s where as a sport we need to try and encourage people to come forward earlier, because the earlier they come forward the earlier we can help them,” Castle said.

* If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. There is also an anonymous online chat service available between 8pm and 4am AEST at Lifeline.org.au, or visit Beyond Blue’s website.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. There is also an anonymous online chat service available between 8pm and 4am AEST at Lifeline.org.au, or visit Beyond Blue’s website.

For crisis assistance, call 000.

Originally published as The sad cause of James Slipper’s depression and drug use revealed