Tony Adams has spoken about his guilt over his son's alcoholism and blames himself, according to multiple reports. His son Oliver, 34, is in recovery from alcoholism. Tony Adams left his son with a publican at age five while he went on a weekend binge, and he was imprisoned for drink-driving in 1990 after an incident where he was four times over the legal limit. According to Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz, Tony Adams described watching his son self-destruct over 12 years, saying, "I put him in a bar where my alcoholism took me."
Tony Adams has been sober for 12 years, though there is a discrepancy with some sources claiming 30 years, which affects the timeline of his recovery. Oliver Adams asked his father for help on April 23, about two years ago, according to multiple reports. Tony Adams took his son to a meeting and got him a sponsor after he asked for help, as described by Daily Mirror - 3am Showbiz. Oliver Adams celebrated two years of sobriety in July last year, according to major media. In a social media post, Oliver Adams said, "I am 2 years sober and I'm finally at peace & comfortable in my own skin."
I've got six kids and two grandkids. My boy is now 34 and he's in recovery. He doesn't mind [it being discussed] he's quite open with it.
Tony Adams founded the charity Sporting Chance in 2000, according to major media. Unknowns include the specific treatment Oliver received beyond meetings and a sponsor, and the identity of the publican with whom he was left at age five.
Two years now, he knew. That's kind of harder as well when you're self-destructing. But when you see someone you love killing himself, you're like, whoa.
I've got all the joys of sobriety, 12 years under my belt, and I'm watching him, over 12 years, you know, from 20 to 30, self-destructing. I'm going 'oh my God… all the blame'. I put him in a bar where my alcoholism took me. I put him behind the bar when he was five with a few toys, a few cars, and I went out on a weekend binge. I left him with the publican for a weekend. That's where my alcoholism took me. No wonder he kind of turns into… you know, he's affected by this illness.
He knew exactly where to come, as when he asked for help on April 23, which was two and a bit years ago saying 'dad, I'm f****d, I'm done'.
I said 'Okay, great' - so, I took him to a meeting, got him a sponsor. I said “Go and talk to American Pat and Patrick, and there’s the big book... You’re on your own because he’s got his own journey.
When you see someone you love killing himself, you're like, whoa.
He asked for help on April 23, which was two and a bit years ago, saying 'dad, I'm f****d, I'm done.'
I said 'Okay, great.' So, I took him to a meeting, got him a sponsor.
I am 2 years sober and I'm finally at peace & comfortable in my own skin. I didn't know I didn't have peace before or even what it was if I'm totally honest. I won't go into how much better my life is (which it is) or how much I love everyone who has helped and supported me over the last 2 years (which I do) but even when I've wanted to cry and scream it's been an amazing journey. I'm so excited to continue growing and experiencing all the beautiful things that have come into my life because I've stayed clean and sober one day at a time.