'I only felt happy when drinking'

Former Inter striker Adriano confessed that he 'arrived drunk in the morning for training', explaining thatthe death of his father left 'a void' in his life that he attempted to fill alcohol.
The Brazilian was counted among Europe's elite players -- winning both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe at the 2004 Copa America and 2005 Confederations Cup as well as winning Serie A four times with Inter Milan between 2005 and 2009 -- but the death of his father saw him fall into depression and alcoholism.
Nerazzurri legend Javier Zanetti said the biggest defeat of his storied career was being unable to get Adriano out of his slump, and Brazilian himself reflected on that period of his life on the TV show 'R7'.
"Only I know how much I suffered," Adriano, who still keeps his nickname of 'The Emperor' in his Instagram account, said. "The death of my father left me with this huge void, I felt very lonely. After his death everything got worse, because I isolated myself.
"I was alone in Italy, sad and depressed, and then I started drinking. I only felt happy when I was drinking, I'd do it every night. I drank everything I could get my hands on: wine, whiskey, vodka, beer. Lots of beer. I didn't stop drinking and in the end I had to leave Inter," the now 36-year-old said candidly.
"I didn't know how to hide it. I arrived drunk in the morning for training sessions. I always showed up, even if I was completely drunk and the medical staff had to take me to sleep in the infirmary. Inter told the press I just had muscular problems."
However, the superstar has turned his life around. He has played in a few charity matches over the past year and mostly keeps to himself. Although not living the life that he once had, Adriano admits that he regained happiness.
"I later realised that the problem was the people around me, friends who did nothing but take me to parties with women and alcohol, without thinking about anything. By going back to Brazil I gave up millions, but I gained happiness."