Premier League footballer ‘treated by paramedics’ after laughing gas addiction diagnosis as pals found him in flat
A PREMIER League star has allegedly been treated by paramedics just months after it was revealed he had a laughing gas addiction.
The player, who’s unnamed, was said to be found by pals surrounded by canisters of illegal nitrous oxide at his city centre flat.
It is believed the player had fallen off the wagon having attended rehab in a bid to kick the habit.
The paramedics who attended the scene carried out checks and gave the footballer a stark warning.
The player is thought to have made several attempts to kick his addiction that has put both his health and career on the line.
Police also attended but are not thought to have started any criminal proceedings.
The player’s club is aware of the incident.
It is believed they have been offering support for some time and were involved in the decision to send him to a specialist rehab centre earlier this season.
The emergency services were contacted last month, the MailOnline reports.
It’s reported the player’s family had concerns he had suffered a relapse.
Those fears were confirmed when a pal found him inside the flat with several bottles near to him.
The player is aware of the seriousness of the problem and has made a number of attempts to quit.
His club are continuing to support him in the hope he can save his career.
Nitrous oxide, also known as “hippy crack”, comes in canisters — sometimes super-sized — that are used to fill balloons, which are then inhaled repeatedly.
The dangers of nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’, is a colourless, sweet-tasting gas discovered by Joseph Priestly in 1772.
The Office for National Statistics reported that over a two-decade period (between 2001 and 2020) there were 56 registered deaths involving nitrous oxide in England and Wales, 45 of these since 2010.
Deaths associated with the use of nitrous oxide occur due to secondary effects, rather than the direct toxic effect of the gas.
Reported causes of death include acute asphyxiation due to hypoxia, or, less commonly, sudden cardiac arrhythmia, according to the government’s website.
Deaths caused by hypoxia may occur when nitrous oxide is used in confined spaces, such as in a car or when using a face mask or plastic bag over the head.
Heavy use of nitrous oxide can lead to the inactivation of vitamin B12, thus reducing the activity of the B12-dependent enzyme methionine synthase.
This can lead to neurological disorders.
Prolonged use can also lead to depression, memory loss, incontinence, hallucinations and nerve damage.
STARS ON THE GAS
A string of Premier League players have been caught using nitrous oxide in the past.
In 2013, then-Spurs star Kyle Walker was pictured inhaling it.
Raheem Sterling was seen doing the same two years later, getting a rebuke from Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
In 2018, Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Matteo Guendouzi were filmed taking it at a pre-season bash.
The following year, Jack Grealish, then at Aston Villa, was snapped inhaling from a balloon.
Last year, Everton midfielder Dele Alli was pictured at a do surrounded by gas canisters and alcohol.
Villa’s Leon Bailey also filmed himself inhaling in his car after partying all night last March.
None of these players are the ace that went to rehab.
