Jonjo Shelvey: "How sleeping pill addiction 'destroyed' relationship with my children"

January 06, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Jonjo Shelvey: How sleeping pill addiction 'destroyed' relationship with my children

Former England midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has spoken candidly about his battle with addiction to sleeping pills, revealing how the habit "destroyed" his relationship with his children during a deeply challenging period of his career.

Shelvey, 33, who earned six caps for the Three Lions, enjoyed a 13-year Premier League career with Liverpool, Swansea City, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

But away from the pitch, he has now admitted he was struggling profoundly, particularly during an 18-month spell playing in Turkey.

Appearing emotionally on the football podcast Undr The Cosh, Shelvey explained how living alone abroad without his family caused him to spiral.

Loneliness Abroad Triggered Addiction

Shelvey spent time with Çaykur Rizespor and later Eyüpspor, but said isolation away from his wife Daisy Evans, whom he married in 2015, and their three children proved overwhelming.

I went to Turkey for 18 months and lived by myself and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

I ended up becoming addicted to sleeping tablets because I'd just got home from training and to pass time. I'd think, "What am I going to do now?"

Describing life in a small, conservative city, Shelvey added:

I was in a Muslim-orientated city. There was like three restaurants. To pass time I'd just end up taking three or four sleeping tablets and I'd pass out until the next morning for training.

'Just to Pass the Time'

When asked why the habit escalated, Shelvey admitted it quickly became an addiction.

Just to pass the time... just an escape.

Even after moving to Istanbul - a more vibrant city - the issue persisted.

You could go out, but I was there by myself again. So I'm not one to go out by myself. I hate being alone.

I thought I could go and drink myself to pass time. But I thought instead of drinking I'd carry on with the sleeping tablets. Drink's no good for a footballer.

Shelvey described a damaging routine that left little room for normal life.

I'd get home at one, half one, three o'clock. I'd have a bit of food, and that'd be my last meal.

And then I'd take three or four sleeping tablets and then wake up about 12 o'clock at night, pop three or four more. And then wake up for training the next day.

To be honest, it destroyed my relationship with my kids.

Easy Access and Online Purchases

The former midfielder also revealed how easily footballers can obtain prescription medication, often through club doctors.

Whilst in Turkey, he said he was also able to buy sleeping pills online with little difficulty.

It was only with the support of his wife that Shelvey was eventually able to confront and overcome the addiction.

Since stopping the medication, he says his relationship with his children has improved significantly.

Life After the Premier League

After a brief return to England with Burnley last season, Shelvey signed for Arabian Falcons, a lower-league side in Dubai.

Speaking to the BBC, he dismissed suggestions that the move was financially motivated.

People say I've gone there for the money. I'm thinking, "What money?"

There's no money in the UAE Second Division League. The ballpark figure for wages here is about £2,000 a month.

In terms of what I've earned through my career, that's nothing. So it was never about coming here for the money.

Now settled and focused on his wellbeing, Shelvey's story offers a rare and honest insight into the hidden mental health struggles that can affect professional footballers - even those who appear to have everything.

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