Kurt Angle on Overcoming Addiction: How a Conversation with His Wife Saved the Life of a WWE Legend.
Kurt Angle on Fighting Alcoholism
According to The Sun: WWE legend Kurt Angle shared his story of battling addiction, which led to a loss of control over his life.
Angle, 56, is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. He won gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta in the freestyle wrestling category.
Kurt Angle opened up about his struggle with addiction Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage Angle talked about his battle with alcohol to WWE legend The Undertaker
Angle felt addiction to painkillers and alcohol during his career
Angle changed his life after a tough call from his wife and has been sober for 14 years
Legacy in Wrestling and Struggles
The Olympic hero began his professional wrestling career in 1998, quickly becoming a WWE star, where he won six world titles.
However, this popularity led to addiction. In 2006, Angle left WWE due to his addiction to painkillers, which he said could have led to his death had he remained in the federation.
After that, he moved to TNA and began abusing alcohol, drinking a case of beer daily in hotels until he would pass out.
The situation became critical when he started drinking while traveling to other cities for performances.
This resulted in four arrests for driving under the influence over five years. Angle realized he had a problem only after one of the arrests when he received a serious call from his wife.
“I remember calling my wife from jail after the fourth DUI. She said, ‘I can’t take this anymore. You either go to rehab or I will take the kids and leave.’
“I didn’t want to lose my wife and kids, so I went to rehab. It was the best decision I ever made. I have been sober for 14 years.”
“There was no way I would survive in WWE. So, when I went to TNA, I stopped taking painkillers. My doctor gave me two small pills a day; that was a morphine dose. That helped avoid withdrawal.”
“But then I started drinking alcohol and began making terrible decisions.”
Today, Kurt Angle is happy and healthy, leaving his dark times behind.
Winning against addiction has become an integral part of his story. Angle has shown that even in the darkest times, a path to recovery and new achievements can be found. His experience truly inspires those who also face similar challenges.
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