The 49-year-old snooker star recently opened up — quite publicly — about one of the darkest chapters in his life. In a new interview aired ahead of the 2025 UK Championship in York, O’Sullivan admitted that during his younger years — roughly between ages 19 and 25 — he “caused a lot of damage,” both personally and professionally.
His moment of reflection came after watching a documentary about actor Charlie Sheen — whose decades-long battle with addiction echoed painfully for O’Sullivan. Seeing Sheen’s story prompted him to confront his own past: “Charlie Sheen went for like 30 years … I got out earlier after three years. So I had a result!”
He admitted that the “first two or three years [of drinking] were great… we had a great time,” but then things spiralled. “It gets to a point where it’s like fun — and then it’s fun with problems. Then it is just problems.”
What “a lot of damage” means
For O’Sullivan, the damage wasn’t just personal — it struck at the heart of his career and confidence. He said those years of substance use damaged “his game … which in effect caused a lot of damage to me off-the-table sort of way of life.” He described that time as leaving him “quite vulnerable, quite unconfident.”
He conceded that, if he could turn back time, he would do things differently: he wouldn’t have “gone a bit wayward when I was 18 or 19,” and he regretted venturing into a lifestyle of heavy drinking and partying.
In earlier years, he had also spoken publicly about how his substance issues caused him to “lose years” of his career, losing “personality and confidence,” and failing to practise or compete regularly during that time.
Why this confession matters — and what changed
O’Sullivan’s decision to speak out now carries weight. As one of snooker’s most decorated players ever — with seven world championships and dozens of titles — hearing such candid reflection reveals a side of professional sport that often stays hidden: the toll of pressure, trauma and self-destructive coping at the top level.
He attributes some of his earlier struggles to a painful background: both his parents were imprisoned when he was a teenager, a trauma that left him deeply affected and — for a time — spiraling.
But the path he chose — to confront addiction, enter rehab, and eventually turn his energy to healthy habits like running — allowed him to recover. “I got out after three years,” he said, contrasting his own experience with Sheen’s decades-long addiction story.
Today, as he nears 50 and approaches another UK Championship, O’Sullivan says his motivation has shifted. For him, it’s about enjoying the game again — not chasing records.
Reflection, regret — and resilience
What makes O’Sullivan’s admission so compelling is how rare it is to see a top athlete so publicly sober about mistakes — not just misplays on the table, but real, life-altering choices. He didn’t sugar-coat it. He conceded that those years cost him: confidence, form, perhaps years of pristine professional performance.
But by acknowledging “I caused a lot of damage,” he also shines a light on recovery and resilience — a reminder that even the greatest can falter, and that the journey back can be just as important as the accolades.
As he competes in this UK Championship (and possibly more), the confession adds a layer: not just of a sporting legend playing for a title, but of a man who has faced his demons and still chases excellence — on his own terms.
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