Ben Cousins to knock back AFL’s offer to pay for drug rehabilitation, friends say

BEN Cousins is so far gone that he would “smash through a glass door” to get to drugs and is not capable of going to rehab, a friend of the troubled star insisted.

• EXCLUSIVE: Ben Cousins reveals he’s homeless and miserable
• Troubled Ben Cousins arrested again in Perth
• Cousins concedes he’s ‘really lucky’ to be granted bail
• AFL makes pledge to fund drug rehabilitation for Ben Cousins
• ‘We’re all here to help him’: Ben Cousins receiving plenty of support

BEN Cousins will knock back the AFL’s offer to pay for drug rehabilitation, friends say.

The Brownlow medallist hit rock bottom this week, revealing that he was living out of a backpack after spending two nights in jail for breaching a court order.

But friends have told the Sunday Herald Sun the former star has been trying to get some help for his two children.

A friend said that Cousins was not ready to go accept any help to kick his habit.

“He won’t go to rehab,” a friend said.

“He’s not capable of going to rehab at this stage. If you’re so damaged mentally from the drug use, it won’t work.”

Cousins, who has previously said he has used ice, cocaine and pills, was still in the grip of addiction, a friend said.

Ben Cousins leaves Armadale Magistrates Court. Picture: Danella Bevis

“He’ll smash through a glass door to get stuff, it’s just shocking,” the source said.

“Ben’s just at the top of the pyramid, underneath there’s a lot of people suffering. The mother of his kids deserve the attention, they will be getting the attention, not him.”

The AFL made the offer of rehabilitation to Cousins several months ago, via his family.

His father, Bryan Cousins, was in court when the former Eagles star fronted a magistrate last week, but did not speak to his son.

Cousins was a decorated player at the West Coast Eagles, holding the premiership cup aloft in 2006 with Chris Judd at the height of his playing career.

But he spiralled out of control as a result of drug addiction and left the West Coast Eagles to play at Richmond. But he could not resurrect his career.

He spoke to the Herald Sun this week, revealing that he had been couch surfing between several friends’ houses.