Sandis Ozolins: I still go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

Dinamo Riga captain Sandis Ozolins in an interview to the Russian site Sportbox.ru admitted he missed almost a year of playing hockey and struggled with alcohol addiction in the past.

«You haven’t played hockey for almost a year before you return to Riga. Why?»

«I was tired. There was no fire left in me. I thought my career was over then. I enjoyed life without hockey – went skiing, played golf. After the New Year I got a call from Riga and they offered me a contract. Even though I haven’t even touched the puck in almost a year, didn’t train and was completely out of shape. I thought about it and decided I have to finish my career where it began. Other offers didn’t interest me,» said the Stanley Cup champion.

«In 2006 you were struggling with alcohol addiction. How did you beat it?»

«It was my way of dealing with stress and eventually it became a habit. I was falling into the abyss without realising it. But the NHL has a special support programme for alcohol and drug addicts, so I started going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Believe me, even after the first stage of therapy it was tough realising that I won’t find a solution at the end of a bottle. Alcoholism can’t be cured – after a while I broke and sat behind the wheel while drunk. Since that incident I haven’t touched the stuff, and I have my family and friends to thank for it. I still go to AA sessions, they are helping me.»