Gazza's short sharp treatment

Andrew Varley examines Paul Gascoigne's predicament.

Paul Gascoigne's public statements after leaving the treatment centre, where he had been attempting to deal with his alcohol problem, were depressing. It seemed as though the intention of holding a press conference was merely to assuage the appetite of the media with a few scraps rather than an attempt to express himself honestly to the many thousands of people, not only football fans but anyone with a compassionate understanding of his predicament, who wished him well. Gascoigne's resentment against the press was all too evident - "a hint of simmering contempt", as one journalist present described it. For a man in Paul Gascoigne's circumstances, resentments are not a good sign.

There is no doubt that his two week stay in the Marchwood Priory will have achieved something. It is quite possible that Gascoigne has got the message - after all, at the press conference he did say "I will stop drinking" and that he was "a changed man". On the other hand, it is often the case that, after this short a period, many alcoholics in treatment are only just beginning to overcome the formidable walls of denial they have erected during lengthy drinking careers. If Gascoigne attended meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous whilst in the clinic - and that is the usual practice - he will have heard anyone who spoke give their name and add "and I'm an alcoholic." It was noticeable that he avoided using the word of himself when questioned by reporters - although, of course, he was under no obligation to do so and its absence does not necessarily imply its rejection.

There were other remarks made by Gascoigne, however, which were more alarming than any omission. "It wasn't just the drinking," he said. "It was everything. I was stressed and depressed." Some of the press endorsed this theory. Writing in The Times, George Caulkin took the view that his "recent divorce, the death of his friend... and his exclusion from the England team had had a cumulative effect." This was also the line taken by Bryan Robson, the Middlesborough manager and a man around whom many drinking stories have accumulated, when Gascoigne first went into treatment. The problem with this approach is that it is implicit that, when these problems have been overcome, "normal" drinking will be possible.

It is common for people with an alcohol problem to attribute it to any number of outside factors: an uncongenial wife; financial difficulties; loss of employment; depression; a vindictive employer; the painful end of a love affair. For those to whom it is no more than that, a discrete problem, this may be true. Alcohol has the power to dull the pain of all these circumstances for a very brief period and that is why the melancholic, the bankrupt, and the cuckold have, in many instances throughout history, resorted to the bottle. In these cases there was no inevitability. Others hanged themselves, made another fortune, or shot the wife.

The alcoholic, on the other hand, is another matter. All these misfortunes befall him as a consequence of his drinking. They are symptoms not causes. Paul Gascoigne's abusive drinking was a feature of his life before Sheryl petitioned for divorce and before his outstanding skills on the football field were dulled. The unreasonable behaviour and violence of which Mrs Gascoigne complained happened because he was abusing alcohol. The edge went off his game for the same reason. Most men, or women, in this sort of situation do not hate their spouses or children, nor do they set out to perform professional duties in a slip-shod manner. Had it been in Paul Gascoigne's power, presumably, he would have stopped drinking in order to save his marriage or to ensure his place in the England team. But, as the first of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous says, "we came to accept that we had no power over alcohol."

In treatment the alcoholic is led towards a discovery of the triggers to his drinking. Some of these may be based on deep emotional scars, others may appear obvious, even trivial. For example, it is usually suggested that old drinking companions and situations be avoided. In Paul Gascoigne's case, this is quite a problem. Professional football as a whole is associated with heavy drinking, as is a North Eastern working-class background. When Paul Merson left Middlesbrough he said that one factor influencing his departure was the club's culture of heavy drinking and gambling. It does appear that things are beginning to change there. Recently, the players' bar went teetotal on the insistence of a sports scientist. Measures like this will help Gascoigne but he needs to take positive measures himself. Well-publicised benders with the likes of Chris Evans are obviously a thing of the past, but unless Evans and similar companions have the insight, compassion, and intelligence to help Gascoigne by changing their own habits, at least when he is around - in other words, if they are his real friends - then they should be avoided. It is ironical that, when Gascoigne joined Middlesbrough, journalists telephoned various experts in the evident hope of receiving confirmation that he would automatically endanger Merson's recovery.

Everything depends on how well he has learned his lesson, how humble he is prepared to be, how far he has abandoned denial and accepted powerlessness, and how therapeutic being back on the football field proves to be If he hits a purple patch, scores a lot of goals, and receives the plaudits of the crowd, then an early departure from the Priory have been justified. On the other hand, an injury, poor form, a sending-off could undo all the good work which has already been done by counsellors, psychotherapists, and doctors.

An addiction counsellor who worked with Paul Merson and Tony Adams, another footballing star in recovery (see opposite), said recently that "Paul Gascoigne will die young if he doesn't change his lifestyle very quickly." It is the choice that faces every dependent drinker, carry on as you were with all the appalling consequences, or gain a new life of real quality. As they say in AA, the misery can always be refunded.