Young, Gifted & Troubled Zac's Battle With Drugs & Depression
Woman’s Day Magazine NZ|December 9 2019
The former All Black’s tackling the demons at destroyed his dreams
Cloe Willets
Young, Gifted & Troubled Zac's Battle With Drugs & Depression

When rugby sensation Zac Guildford boarded a plane to France to play for the Clermont Auvergne five years ago, he breathed a sigh of relief. It was another incredible opportunity after an abrupt end to his All Blacks and Crusaders careers, and it boasted a hefty pay cheque.

But less than a year into his contract with the French rugby union club, Zac’s management turned up at his apartment with a doctor. They wanted him to do a drug test. In that moment, amid the thick of depression and escalating drug dependence, the talented winger admitted defeat. He was caught with cocaine in his system and his contract was terminated.The boy from the Wairarapa – one of Aotearoa’s best rugby players – was hit by the harsh consequences of a secret thousand-dollar-a-week drug habit.

“Drugs played a massive role throughout my professional career and I was never telling the full truth,” admits Hamiltonbased Zac, 30, who is speaking openly for the first time about the extent of his mental health and substance abuse, in the hope his story will help others.

“I was doing prescription drugs and anything I could get my hands on. I was in full sabotage mode because my mind was going crazy.”

The quietly spoken sportsman – who helped the All Blacks win the 2011 Rugby World Cup – says until this year, he didn’t know how to talk about his emotions. It’s now part of his healing.

He explains, “Drugs and alcohol were plasters, and once you take them off and start being vulnerable, it just comes oozing out.”

この記事は Woman’s Day Magazine NZ の December 9 2019 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Woman’s Day Magazine NZ の December 9 2019 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

WOMAN’S DAY MAGAZINE NZのその他の記事すべて表示
TREASURE & TRAUMA
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TREASURE & TRAUMA

The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

JUDGE JAY-JAY

Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas

time-read
2 分  |
August 31, 2024
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'

The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother

time-read
3 分  |
August 31, 2024
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO

The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy

time-read
3 分  |
August 31, 2024
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!

Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way

time-read
3 分  |
August 31, 2024
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR

The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay

time-read
2 分  |
August 31, 2024
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'

The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal

time-read
3 分  |
August 31, 2024
CARMEL SEPULONI  I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!

Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI

time-read
3 分  |
August 31, 2024
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR

The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!

time-read
5 分  |
August 31, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024