‘I should be dead’: Former Portsmouth and Cardiff City striker Omar Bogle opens up on addiction battle
Omar Bogle netted four goals in 14 appearances for Pompey during a loan stint in 2019.
Former Pompey loanee Omar Bogle has opened up on a battle with a painkiller addiction, which left him contemplating suicide.
After suffering a fractured back during pre-season with new club Crewe Alexandra in 2024, the 32-year-old was routinely prescribed medication to alleviate his pain.
But it soon spiralled out of control, with the striker quickly becoming addicted, leading him into ‘darkness, depression and suicidal thoughts.’
At the height of his dependency, Bogle admitted he was taking ‘ridiculous amounts’ before isolating himself in his home after training.
After undergoing rehab earlier this year, which kept him out of action for the the start of the 2025-26 campaign with Crewe, the former Pompey, Cardiff City and Birmingham City man has now lifted the lid on his addiction - and why he ‘should be dead.’
Former Pompey striker opens up on addiction
In an emotional interview with Sky Sports, Bogle said: ‘I could not walk, could not really move, could not sleep, When I did sleep, the pain would wake me up. The doctor gave me medication to help me sleep and take the edge off.
‘One of the drugs I got was something I had before, so I was familiar with how it would make me feel. I was taking them for two or three weeks and then the pain started to ease.
‘I got back to playing and training, but I was still getting shooting pains and nerve pains and still struggling to sleep. I started taking them again to help me. From there it was a slippery slope.
‘I got addicted fast, and I probably didn't realise how reliant I was. As time went on I was taking ridiculous amounts. It kept going up and up. Every few weeks I would add another one on top.
‘I didn't tell anyone, and I knew they would have advised me not to. I also knew players that did the same thing, so because this was the first time I had actively taken drugs off my own back to get through games or sleep or training, I thought it was normal.
‘It changed me as a person. My decision-making was all over the place. I isolated myself from everyone. I would go home after training, close all the curtains, sit in the dark watching TV, be on my phone all day and not speak to anyone.
‘I was in darkness, depressed, with suicidal thoughts. I do not think a day went by where I didn't have suicidal thoughts.
‘The thoughts came every day, at least once. The amount of drugs I was taking and where the addiction took me, I think subconsciously that is what I was trying to do. I hoped one day I would not wake up.
‘When I went into rehab and did assessments, the doctors said I should be dead and that I had probably overdosed numerous times.’
Omar Bogle’s message to others
Bogle, who scored four goals in 14 appearances during a 2019 loan spell at Fratton, is now back in action for Crewe and scored on his return against Shrewsbury Town last month.
Now, fully recovered, the striker has issued a clear message to anyone feeling depressed or suicidal.
He added: ‘It helps to know someone else is going through it and you are not the only one.
‘I am sure others in football and sport are going through it as well. In rehab you become aware of how big a problem it is.
‘My message is: tell someone. When people are depressed, suicidal or in a dark place, the guilt and shame make it worse. We internalise it.
‘It helps to know someone else is going through it and you are not the only one. You can find solace in that. So speak to someone trusted. Share it with someone close to you.’
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