Snooker maestro Ronnie O’Sullivan has candidly shared his battles with depression, substance abuse, and the toll of relentless pressure during what he describes as the “worst time of my life.” In a recent interview on the Stick to Football podcast with Sky Bet, O’Sullivan delved into his mental health struggles and the impact on his career, coinciding with the release of his documentary ‘The Edge Of Everything’ on Amazon Prime.

Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest snooker players in history, O’Sullivan achieved remarkable success from a young age, becoming the youngest player to win a Masters title at 19 in 1995. His illustrious career includes 21 Triple Crown titles, sharing the record of seven World Snooker Championship titles with Stephen Hendry, and securing seven Masters and seven UK Championships.

The current world No 1 opened up about his battles off the snooker table, attributing his mental health challenges to an unhealthy obsession with maintaining peak performance levels. This obsession led him into a six-year spiral of drug and alcohol abuse.

“I have an inability to deal with pressure that I put on myself. I get in such a bad place, I get so down on myself then I become a moody person, I become someone I don’t really like,” O’Sullivan shared.

Reflecting on the delicate balance between maintaining a healthy drive for success and overdoing it, O’Sullivan highlighted the struggle to find himself outside the world of snooker. The sport consumed him, resulting in addiction battles.

“Those six or seven years I was unhappy, I couldn’t go out my house unless I had a chemical substance,” he revealed.

Recognizing the need for change, O’Sullivan has taken steps to manage his perfectionist tendencies and maintain a healthier approach to snooker. He now keeps a diary, sets practice limits, and has learned to switch off after reaching specific goals.

Working with sports psychologist Steve Peters, O’Sullivan has transformed his habits and mentality, ensuring a balance between dedication and self-care. He emphasized the importance of finding the optimum level of practice, avoiding burnout, and learning to believe in himself without succumbing to guilt.

“As long as I clock the hours up, it’s in the bank. Sometimes you just play out of guilt… Steve Peters really helped,” O’Sullivan stated, highlighting the positive impact of his changed mindset on both his professional and personal life.