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Ric Flair “I didn’t think I was an alcoholic, but obviously I was.”
On August 12th The 'Nature boy" Ric Flair was placed into a medically induced coma. Flair was in the early stages of kidney failure and on the verge of congestive heart failure – the result of years of alcohol abuse.
In his autobiography, Ric Flair: To Be The Man, Flair admitted to suffering from alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a weakening of heart muscle stemming from alcohol abuse.
With only a 20 percent chance of survival, doctors had no choice but to remove part of Flair’s bowel, and they were also required to insert a pacemaker. Now, in recovery at a convalescent center in Atlanta, Flair said the ordeal has scared the sh*t of him.
He needs round the clock attention and struggles to eat and drink by himself. He admits, “I didn’t think I was an alcoholic, but obviously I was.”
Flair’s problem with alcohol started while he worked to build friendships with his fellow wrestlers during the early days of his career in the 1970's. He says it helped them bond. he says, noting though, “I never drank when I was working.”
“But as soon as work was over, I went right to the mill,” he says, adding that he’s long struggled to “do anything in moderation,” and admitting to a failed rehab stint four years prior.
Alcohol also served as a tonic of sorts when it came to coping with his injuries and intense physical pain from his job. “I’ve never taken a pain pill in my life,” he explains. “I’d just take a shower, flip my hair back and go to the best bar in town.”
Now, the father of four says he is dedicated to doing better.
“I’ll never drink again,” says Flair. “I never want to go through this again.”
Image Sources:
www.wwe.com
www.wwfoldschool.com
www.tmz.com
www.people.com
