A Premier League footballer has become the first player to enter rehab for an addiction to nitrous oxide, according to reports.
The star was admitted to a medical center after his family reportedly approached the club to help with his addiction to nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide is popular in the party scene and users say it causes feelings of euphoria and light-headedness, while others experience hallucinations.
Nitrous oxide is not illegal to possess, but this does not mean it is safe to use. Drug advice website Frank says there is a risk of death because oxygen deprivation can occur.
The player’s family became concerned after police stopped a car in which he was a passenger and found dozens of canisters in the footwell. The sun.
A Premier League footballer has reportedly entered rehab due to an addiction to laughing gas
However, the police could not take action because they could not prove who the canisters found in the car belonged to.
Nevertheless, the incident, which is said to have occurred a few weeks before Christmas, concerned the player’s family, forcing them to contact the club.
A source spoke to The Sun about the incident, saying: ‘His family became aware and asked the club for help.
‘The player was told that if he wanted to save his career he had to go to a specialist residential center and get help.’
The source added, “He is essentially undergoing a detox in the same way you would if you were addicted to alcohol or another drug.
‘He is the first Premier League footballer to be treated for his addiction to nitrous oxide, but given its widespread use among players it is unlikely he will be the last.’
Nitrous oxide is inhaled, usually by discharging nitrous oxide cartridges into another object, such as a balloon, or directly into the mouth.
Inhaling nitrous oxide is said to produce a quick wave of euphoria and a feeling of floating or excitement for a short period of time.
The following effects can be felt almost immediately and may last for several minutes: body numbness, uncontrollable laughter and blurred vision.
Several footballers, including Jack Grealish, Dele Alli, Leon Baily and Kyle Walker, have previously been pictured with nitrous oxide
Walker was another player pictured inhaling the nitrous oxide. He was pictured sucking a balloon in September 2013. Walker’s photos were released while he was in Kiev.
If a large amount of nitrous oxide is inhaled, it can cause loss of blood pressure, fainting or even a heart attack.
According to the Alcohol and Drugs FoundationInhaling nitrous oxide can be fatal if you don’t get enough oxygen, which is known as hypoxia.
Long-term exposure to nitrous oxide can also lead to memory loss, a weakened immune system, limb spasms, psychological dependence, depression and more.
The source further spoke about the nitrous oxide issue within the league. They said: ‘A Premier League star recently celebrated his birthday and wasted almost £10,000 on buses.
‘They are taken en masse because they cannot be caught with it in their system.
‘It happens at all clubs and some of them are very famous players. I’m not sure if any of them know that it is a class C drug now.
‘No footballer dreams of having a supply of cannabis at home, but many do have a supply of balloons for themselves and their friends. They seem to have no idea how dangerous their use can be.”
Several footballers, including Jack Grealish, Dele Alli, Leon Baily and Kyle Walker, have previously been pictured with laughing gas.
Ali was pictured with a balloon in his mouth surrounded by nitrous oxide canisters in April 2023, before heading to rehab in the US to help with his sleeping pill addiction.
In a photo shared on social media, claiming to be in a flat in Salford, Alli and a number of friends were seen sitting around a table laden with giant bottles of nitrous oxide.
The table was also littered with a variety of other party-related items, including £215.00 Clase Azul tequila and Magnum – a 16.5% alcohol tonic wine from Jamaica.
Ali was pictured with a balloon in his mouth surrounded by nitrous oxide canisters in April 2023, before heading to rehab in the US to help with his sleeping pill addiction.
Bailey was also pictured holding a giant balloon to his lips as he sat in the front seat of his car in March 2023, after Aston Villa’s 2-0 win over Everton.
A timestamp and location at the bottom of the video would read: ‘Birmingham 7.19am’, The sun reported.
It is believed Bailey had been at a friend’s birthday party on Saturday evening following his 61st minute substitution during the Premier League match.
Walker was another player pictured inhaling the nitrous oxide. He was pictured sucking a balloon in September 2013.
Walker’s photos were released while he was in Kiev on international duty, preparing for England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.
Walker’s photo is said to have been taken in June when an injury forced him to leave the England squad to face the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.
Walker took full responsibility for his actions and released the following statement while in camp with his Three Lions teammates.
‘I have now been made aware of the health risks associated with the practice and accept that my actions were poor judgement. I hope this will in no way influence or encourage others to risk their own health.”
Later on Sunday evening, Walker turned to X and added: “Apologies for not commenting on a story about me earlier today. I have been training and am focused on Tuesday’s match for England.’
Shane Duffy, Pascal Gross, Leandro Trossard and Alireza Jahanbakhsh were also spotted inhaling balloons during a Spanish breakaway.
Sports science professor and former FA head of performance John Brewer has explained how exposure to nitrous oxide can lower a player’s vitamin B12 levels.
He said: ‘B12 is essential for nerve function. So if you’re an elite footballer trying to make skilled movements and pass a ball effectively, you don’t want your nerves to be damaged in any way, because you need that peripheral ability to sense movement.”