Ben Barba’s stint in Thailand rehab facility not drug related, says manager
Ben Barba insists he is not a drug addict and that he walked away from his $650,000 Cronulla contract after a private ordeal. He’s bound for a Thai rehab clinic, leaving his partner and daughters at home.
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BEN Barba insists he is not a drug addict but walked away from his lucrative Cronulla contract after a private ordeal that included two years of counselling for an anxiety disorder.
Barba’s manager said the fullback was treating a “personal holistic issue” not a drug problem - despite testing positive to cocaine use four days after Cronulla’s grand-final win last month.
It was the second time in 12 months Barba had tested positive for an illicit substance out off season, prompting the NRL to slap the former Bronco with a mandatory 12-match ban.
Barba dropped his second bombshell on the code in three years, checking into a Thailand rehab facility for the next 28 days to address personal problems.
Last month, amid Cronulla’s surge to their maiden title, Barba publicly declared he “had never been happier”. But the 27-year-old has waged a battle so secret that many of his family and friends, including his cousin, fellow NRL player Josh Hoffman, were unaware of the depth of his struggles.
Sources close to the Cronulla club confirmed Barba has sought professional help to treat anxiety and hyperactivity for the past two years. His agent, Chris Orr, hopes Barba will resurrect his NRL career once he sorts out a life that has spiralled out of control.
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“Stepping away from the game is a chance for Ben to work on his personal issues and become the best Ben Barba he can be,” he said.
“This is not just about failing a drug test. There are other things he needs to work on and that’s his entire life. This is a holistic approach.
“Ben made this decision himself, no-one made it for him, and in a sense it’s released the pressure on him.
“He wants to be accountable for his actions. Football is the easiest part of Ben’s life. He is naturally gifted at it. The football field has been his sanctuary, it’s where he feels the most comfortable.
“There are good people at the Cronulla club and they will support him through this.”
Barba arrived at The Cabin Chiang Mai, dubbed Thailand’s most respected clinic for alcohol, drug and behavioural addiction.
The minimum 28-day stay costs $14,400, with Broncos centre James Roberts and Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce having checked into the facility this year.
Barba produced some outstanding on-field form last season but off it, he battled the very demons that led to his stunning fall from grace following his 2012 Dally M heroics.
In May, Barba flew to hometown Mackay, promising never to return to rugby league after a drunken altercation with Sharks teammate Sosaia Feki.
The next day, Barba boarded a flight to Mackay. Sobbing at Sydney airport, he contacted a family member, saying: “I’ve bought a one-way ticket. I don’t want to go back. I’ve got too much going on in my life right now.”
Cronulla hierarchy convinced Barba to return three days later, but the troubled Sharks ace admitted he needed time out following his cocaine breach.
“I am accountable for myself and my actions and if I don’t address them now I will certainly ruin my career and more importantly my life and that of my family,” he said.
“As footballers we often find it hard to speak up about having problems, but this decision has lifted so much pressure off myself that I cannot start to explain just how much better I feel by taking this action.”
New Parramatta recruit Hoffman urged his cousin not to quit the NRL for good.
“It is a bit of a shock, I just hope he is OK,” said the former Titans centre.
“I grew up with Ben in Mackay and as his cousin, I just hope he sorts himself out.
“Some people don’t handle the spotlight and maybe that’s the case with Ben.
“I really hope he doesn’t walk away forever. He’s one of the most exciting players in the game and he’s a guy people want to watch.
“I’m confident he can bounce back, I just hope he gets the opportunity to come back to the NRL.”
Originally published as Ben Barba’s stint in Thailand rehab facility not drug related, says manager
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