Drug abuse, alcoholism: Wasim Akram and other famous athletes who battled addiction

Former Pakistan cricket great Wasim Akram has sent shock waves through the sporting world with the revelation that a cocaine addiction almost took control of his brain.

The story of his battle with substance abuse which he was forced to kick after the early passing of his wife Huma is told in his autobiography Sultan: A Memoir', excerpts of which were published by The Times, London.

One of the most feared left-arm fast bowlers in the world ever, Akram claimed 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets during an outstanding career, before he retired from international cricket after the 2003 World Cup.

"I liked to indulge myself; I liked to party," he described his post-cricket life as a wild, globe-trotting expert commentator.

Akram, now 56 and an in-demand expert analyst of the game, is not the first sportsman or sportsman to fall victim to drug abuse.

Here we look at some of the iconic athletes whose careers were affected by a dark life.

Jennifer Capriati

When Jennifer Capriati made history to become the lowest-ranked seed to win the 2001 Australian Open, where she defeated Martina Hingis in straight sets, tennis pundits predicted a bright career for the American with the flash two-handed backhand.

Although she would go on to win two more Grand Slams, an Olympic gold at the 1992 Summer Games, and be inducted into the International Hall of Fame Capriati’s glittering career took a big hit with cases of taking drugs, shoplifting, and scandalous affairs.

The star was arrested for shoplifting and was arrested by the Florida police and charged with possession of cannabis.

Capriati confessed to having had to struggle with her fame which came at a very young age and that she had even contemplated taking her own life because she was too fat, as an escape from it all.

Instead, she turned to drugs, dropped out of all her tournaments, and headed to rehab.

Capriati was charged with battery and stalking her former boyfriend on Valentine's Day.

She currently lives a quiet and secluded life spending time at her home in Miami.

Michael Phelps

Record-breaking Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps may not have had a problem rewriting the history books in his sport but had far greater issues with his weakness for recreational drugs like marijuana.

A 6ft 4inch giant with a wingspan of over six feet, Phelps is regarded as the most successful Olympian of all time with a cache of 29 medals, including a record of 23 golds, Phelps had no equals in the pool.

However, Phelps once shocked the world when he allowed himself to be photographed by a British newspaper smoking marijuana at a student party at the University of South Carolina. He was lucky to escape with a warning and was not prosecuted for his bad taste in publicity.

He apologised after the incident saying he will not make the mistake again.

Phelps did not get away scot-free as he was banned for three months by the US Swimming Federation which also cost him a lucrative endorsement deal with US food giant Kellogg Co.

Diego Maradona

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