editorial comment Love is a many splendored thing.....

Disgraced former Socceroo Mark Bosnich says he's lived a Life of Riley and still takes cocaine.

But Bosnich, who happily accepts his career is over, insists his battle with drugs is "totally under control" after his intake peaked at 10 grams a day during the darkest period of his life.

Bosnich spiralled deep into depression after being sacked by English glamour club Chelsea two years ago, but says he now has no regrets after finally reconciling with his family following 18 months of personal heartache.

"There was a stage where I got up to 10 grams (of cocaine) a day when I was really down in the dumps," Bosnich told SBS's World Game program (Nov 14).

"And I basically have got it kicked. I have my occasional slip-ups, but we're not talking anywhere near that (amount) ... it's completely under control.

"I'm fit and as healthy as I can be. The main thing is that every morning I wake up I'm still breathing, so I'm very lucky to be able to do that."

The 32-year-old maintains he became hooked on cocaine out of love for British model Sophie Anderton, saying for every line she had he had to have one too.

"It was something I did out of sacrifice," he said.

"Looking back in hindsight, people might say I was stupid. There's a fine line between being brave and being stupid.

"I still believe the reason I took it up was for the right reason because it helped somebody else."

The former Aston Villa and Manchester United star knows he has some way to go before he is fully back on the straight and narrow.

"I'm not going to sit here and say I've totally kicked the habit," said the London resident.

"It's like an alcoholic saying he's never going to touch another drink again. That's putting the death knell on someone.

"I have got an addictive personality. The most important thing is to get back into good habits and shelve the bad ones.

"Which is what I've done, and coming back from that type of level without going to any rehab is pretty good achievement in four months."

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