Univision interview: De La Hoya talks suicide, drugs and hitting rock bottom
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Oscar De La Hoya is opening up about his recent struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. The former world boxing champion in six weight classes said it got so bad, he contemplated suicide.
”Rock bottom was recently,” De La Hoya said in an interview that aired Tuesday on the Spanish-language network Univision, and can be viewed below. ”Within a couple of years, just thinking, ‘Is my life even worth it?’ I don’t have the strength; I don’t have the courage to take my own life. But I was thinking about it.”
De La Hoya admitted he was an alcoholic and things mushroomed out of control recently when he mixed booze with cocaine.
”There were drugs. My drug of choice was cocaine and alcohol, um. Cocaine was recent, the last two years, last 2 1/2 years, and I depended more on the alcohol than the cocaine. It took me to a place where I felt safe. It took me to a place where I felt like, if, nobody can say anything to me. It took me to a place where I can reach out and just grab my mom.”
The 39-year-old also admitted to cheating on his wife many times, but threw in one interesting qualifier.
”We are obviously not talking a Tiger Woods here, but I was unfaithful.”
De La Hoya also said he and his wife, Millie, were separated for a period. The boxer-turned-promoter said he’s been clean for three months.
“It’s your choice whether you want to drink or not. Now I have tools. I understand how this disease works. I’m fed up with the lies. Working to be an alcoholic, it’s a 24/7 job. I just got tired. I was tired of it. I wanted this for myself, a clean sober life. It’s much better.”
Back in late May, he checked himself into a Malibu, Calif., rehab center. He spent seven weeks there and then elected to remain for three more weeks. From there, De La Hoya went to Puerto Rico for 90 days. He is currently attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and called this battle the biggest fight of his life.
