An unnamed Premier League player is battling addiction (Picture: Getty Images)
A Premier League footballer who has been diagnosed with an addiction to laughing gas has been treated by paramedics as he continues to struggle to kick the habit.
The Daily Mail report that a friend of the unnamed player called the emergency services after seeing him surrounded by canisters in his flat.
The incident occurred in April, with police also attending, but no criminal proceedings have been launched, according to the report.
The player had previously been diagnosed with an addiction to illegal nitrous oxide and the paramedics made it clear that he needs to break the habit for the sake of his long-term health.
His career is also on the line, with the player’s club aware of the situation and trying to help him break the habit by sending him to see a specialist in rehab.
The cannisters of laughing gas are used to fill balloons, with the gas then inhaled to provide a high.
In November, possession of nitrous oxide was made illegal, with a Government announcement confirming: ‘Possession of “laughing gas” is now illegal with repeat serious users facing up to 2 years in prison and dealers up to 14 years.
‘The ban, promised as part of the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, makes nitrous oxide a Class C drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means possession of nitrous oxide, where a person intends to wrongfully inhale it for a psychoactive effect, is now an offence.
‘Consequences could include an unlimited fine, a visible community punishment, a caution (which would appear on their criminal record) and for repeat serious offenders, a prison sentence.’
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