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Painkiller addiction prolific amongst players according to former Super Rugby halfback
By Online Editors
A former Super Rugby star has claimed the number of players who are addicted to pain killers has become an "epidemic".
Grayson Hart, who played sporadically for the Blues and Waratahs between 2008 and 2013, recounted his story of being prescribed Tramadol for an injury which quickly led to addiction.
"It got pretty bad, yeah," Hart told Stuff.
"It even became a bit of a fun thing to do, pop a few and kick back on the couch and get a bit of a buzz."
However, Hart said that he wasn't alone and claimed pain-killers are being given out to athletes "like lollies".
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"Honestly I wasn't too bad compared to some guys, I was definitely on the road to a dark place though. It's really somewhat of an epidemic. I knew that, so (I) started looking for an alternative."
After admitting to himself that he had become addicted to prescription pills, Hart found that alternative pain solution in CBD oil - another highly restricted, prescription-only drug - and convinced a number of former All Blacks to try it too.
Now, the likes of Liam Messam, Jerome Kaino, Colin Slade and Victor Vito all endorse a CBD oil product that Hart has commercialised in the UK.
CBD oil is legal under the World Anti-Doping Agency laws, but is still a controlled substance in both New Zealand and the UK.
"I started reading a bunch of stuff from elite athletes around the world, like Nate Diaz (UFC) and guys in the NFL who swore by the stuff," Hart said.
"CBD, when done right, is a safe alternative to the drugs athletes are traditionally filled with. That stuff is not good and I have seen the dark side of it."
Now playing in the UK's RFU Championship for the Bedford Blues, Hart says CBD oil's effectiveness in treating his pain and helping with recovery has been life-changing.
"My inflammation went way down and my sleep improved out of sight," he said.
"I didn't feel anymore like I needed painkillers which was a first in I don't know how long."
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
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I think it was a better rugby destination for him.
He was developed in Melbourne and had a relatively brief stint there. I think he was possibly dropped out of the squad for the return of someone like To'omua (also a Melbourne local) in 2019 ahead of the RWC. But then he wasn't picked up by another Australian team and went to play in Japan when he only really seemed to play a hat full of top level games (maybe injured for long periods??) before he went on to Scotland. But it was only in Scotland that he started to get a lot of consistent game time and selection.
The thing is, no one talked about him being a missed opportunity in Australia before he left - a little like Mac Hansen. But he has been able to forge a top level career since leaving. Both men only had a handful (5 or 6?) games at Super Rugby level before they made a decision to leave (or had it made for them I suppose). Other countries have gone on to develop them and that is great for them and it is probably good for the global game as it means the best players are rising to the top - if not in their birth country than in another. I think there are a lot of issues with poor player development in Australia but I don't know if these two blokes are very good examples of it.
Go to commentsOk I understand. Give them my number please Nick.
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