Richie Fa’aoso lifts lid on his addiction battle, warns NRL of ‘massive drug problem’

FORMER NRL enforcer Richie Fa’aoso has opened up about his decade-long hell of alcohol and drug abuse. His warning to the NRL: stop ignoring “a massive drug problem”.

THE NRL has “a massive drug problem” according to a former rugby league hard man who warns there will be tragic consequences if urgent steps aren’t taken.

Richie Fa’aoso, who has opened up about his decade-long drink and drugs hell to The Saturday Telegraph, said he was concerned the game was ignoring the problem.

“It is probably in every sport but there is a big drug culture in (the NRL),” the 33-year-old, who is now trying to turn his life around after being released from jail to attend The Glen, an alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre for men on the Central Coast, said.

“I can only be honest and tell the truth now. There is a massive drug problem in the NRL and if you think (there isn’t) you are kidding yourself.

“And it is only going to get worse if you don’t sort it out. You don’t want kids … necking themselves.”

Fa’aoso, who is of Tongan descent, credits The Glen and its program, which uses Aboriginal values and indigenous dances, with putting him on a path to redemption.

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He was a fearless warrior on the pitch as he turned out for Penrith, the Roosters, Parramatta, Newcastle, Melbourne and Manly during 11 years at the top level before his career was cut short by a series of sickening concussions and a broken neck.

But off the field he struggled with his personal demons, battling crippling drink and drug addictions. And in his darkest moments Fa’aoso, who never failed a drugs test during his NRL career, even contemplated suicide.

“I considered taking my life, people’s lives,” he said.

Richie Fa’aoso during his playing days in the NRL.

“I didn’t care whether I woke up the next day or not. My marriage was struggling. I was letting down my kids, my wife, friends, family.

“I was just going down this deep, dark hole.

“At the end of it, it got dark and I got really violent. I was like a volcano because I bottled stuff up. If I did speak about it I felt like I was a sook, a whinger, a bitch.

“That is just how I looked at it.”

Fa’aoso said his problems began when he was a teenager.

“I grew up in a broken home,” he said. “My father was an alcoholic. My mum was a hard worker. But with that she was never around.

“Growing up, all I ever really wanted was that family love, that father figure. When he left, he got deported back to Tonga, and I just kind of lost a big chunk of myself.”

Richie Fa'aoso after performing an Aboriginal dance with fellow residents of The Glen rehabilitation centre. Picture: Troy Snook

Despite having problems with alcohol as a teenager, his ability to play rugby league landed him in the NRL, which is where he discovered drugs.

“I didn’t pick up the drugs until I was 21,” Fa’aoso said.

“When I hit that, that was through playing football.

“Guys that I looked up to were doing it so I kind of just jumped in. But I didn’t know that I was an addict as well and an alcoholic.

“When I touched it I couldn’t stop. They all went home but I kept going. I took ice.

“Whatever I could get my hands on, I smashed. Mostly pills and coke. If I could get my hands on anything I would.”

Richie Fa’aoso during his playing days in the NRL.

He said he ran the “gauntlet” to beat drug tests and doesn’t know how he never got caught. Fa’aoso started taking ice after he fractured his neck while playing for the Sea Eagles in 2013 — and that is when his problems really hit home.

“When I hit that ice, that was the one that really sent me cuckoo,” he said.

“That is when I went through my darkest time.”

What he wants to do now is turn his life around and he hopes by talking about it he can also help others.

Fa’aoso, who has been sober for five months, said the rehabilitation program at The Glen has helped him to admit to his problems. From initially revealing his story to other men around an open fire, he has now started giving talks to teenagers about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Richard Fa'aoso during his playing days for Manly in the NRL.

Despite spending a month in Parklea prison for a domestic violence incident, he said he was still with his wife Tori, and can’t wait to get home and prove to his children he can be a better man.

“I just want to give my family the best version of myself today,” he said.

“This place (The Glen) has helped me get my life back. I also want to thank Crossroads Church in Minto. I know I can’t touch a drink and I can’t touch a drug because I turn into a creature. I don’t like that person. And neither does anyone else.”

A spokesman for the NRL said Fa’aoso’s case was sad and highlighted the need for players to seek help. He said the NRL conducted around 2500 illicit drug tests each year and had welfare officers in every club to assist players.

“We would urge any player … to seek help … the welfare officers in the clubs can and do help.”