'Rehab saved my life': Hull City legend Dean Windass on depression, drink-driving and working in a charity shop
HULL City legend Dean Windass says rehab stopped him killing himself.
The Tigers hero insists he "wouldn't be here today" if he had not sought help to tackle depression.
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Dean Windass says he 'wouldn't be here today' if he had not sought help to tackle depression.
Fans were shocked when Deano admitted trying to take his life twice after struggling with his father's death, the collapse of his marriage and life after Hull City.
Despite undergoing treatment for depression, he went on a drinking binge and was caught drunk at the wheel of his car in October.
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Now working in a charity shop as part of his court-ordered community payback, Dean said: "Without the rehab, I wouldn't be here today after I was caught drink-driving. It would have tipped me over the edge.
"There is no way I can justify or defend what I did.
"I promise I will never do anything like that again."
In January, Dean tried to commit suicide twice following the break-up of his 18-year marriage and the death of his father.
Dean spent 26 days in the Sporting Chance clinic in Hampshire after revealing his battle with depression.
However, he was then convicted of drink-driving in October after crashing his car while nearly three times over the limit.
Dean crashed his silver Mercedes into a parked car in Bradford as he drove back to his home in the outskirts of Leeds after watching Hull City's defeat to Blackpool.
Police found him asleep at the wheel of his car at 5am on October 3 and arrested him.
Dean has been banned from driving for two years and four months.
The magistrates described his conduct as "very serious", ordering him to carry out 250 hours' unpaid community work.
Dean has been working at a charity shop as part of his community service as well as part-time for a fixings supply firm in Hull.
He said: "I am working at the Scope charity shop in Bingley as part of my community service.
"I am now working three days a week for Quality Fixings and it gives me something to get up for.
"I am learning different things and meeting new people.
Dean admits he still drinks but insists he does not have a problem.
He said: "I am not an alcoholic. I like a drink, like every working man. Before, I was drinking to block things out but now I just have a few beers socially with my friends."
Spending time in rehab has put his life into perspective and Dean realises he needs to be there for his family.
He said: "I feel I am stronger, mentally. I don't let things affect me like I used to.
"Having moved to Hull, I really miss my kids. Losing my licence has made it difficult to see them.
"But I have to get on with my life and I see them when I can.
"I will always be their dad and I'll be there for them."
He says 2012 has been his toughest year but he is looking ahead to a better time in 2013.
"I'm not saying I'm cured because I'm not," he says. "I have good days and bad days.
"The day I was caught drink-driving was a bad time. I was back binge drinking. Crashing my car and getting caught drink-driving was a big wake-up call for me."
Comments
by HCAFCscarb
Friday, December 28 2012, 1:57AM
“What a bunch of nasty sad cases there is posting on the HDM.
THOSE WHO NEVER HAVE A GOOD WORD FOR ANYONE MUST LIVE SUCH SAD EMPTY BITTER LIFES.
All the best DEANO...
ALL THE BEST TO EVERYONE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION..
AND ALL THE BEST TO ANYONE HAVING A HARD TIME IN LIFE..
As i always say Deano......Sometimes when you think things will not improve....THEY DO
And often you can and up feeling far happier then you ever have ..
You MUST kick the drinking 100% though......
You can still have a good night out in a pub / Bar / Club drinking coke or orange etc...Prove your strong to YOUSELF ...everytime you turn a drink down your one step closer to happy times and a better life..
All the Best Deano......FAB Goal to win the play off final....”
by unitedtowing
Thursday, December 27 2012, 8:34AM
“ive met you a few times deano , your too headstrong , and you still wont listen to anyone ,it will keep happening till you find happiness , so you will no doubt join the list of george best , tony adams , paul gascoine, sort yourself out and , get back into football even if its a waterboy , just get help”
by albaz
Wednesday, December 26 2012, 9:29PM
“How much more of this whining,self-pitying attention seeker are we going to read about as "news?
This is typical of third rate singers/actors and z list "celebrities,with the odd sportsman thrown in.
The gullible sympathy givers only fuel the feeble rehab needs of these pathetic types who think they can't cope with what life throws at everybody at some stage in life.
After rehab Windass then got drunk and drove a car, that isn't depression it's stupidity that could have killed someone. If a person wants to kill themselves they will,if they want attention,they will "try" to do so.
"There but for fortune"? Not unless you are an idiot . I lost my Mum,my Son lost his wife ,we didn't rush to the HDM to whine about it.
If he asks I'll give Windass some therapy maybe I will get him to face up,man up and shut up,at least publicly .”
by 8_Figuresums
Wednesday, December 26 2012, 6:28PM
“If he'd have played for Hull Kingston Rovers this would not have happened.
Knowing he had played for the biggest team in world sport we would have looked after him at Poorhouse lane, the home of Hull Kingston Rovers and he'd have probably become an deputy leader like fellow Hull Kingston Rovers supporter the fantastic Sir John Prescott.”
by rtyrty20
Wednesday, December 26 2012, 5:59PM
“Why is the HDM still calling this guy a 'hero' ? All he did was play sports for a bit, didn't eactly change the world or save lives did he?
I'm sick of hearing about him. If he's genuinely depressed how about talking to a therapist instead of a reporter. Ask your doc about CBT and stop whining at the rest of us. Good luck and good bye.”
by mikeinhull
Wednesday, December 26 2012, 2:23PM
“Deano, if your reading my post's I apologise for saying the Humber Bridge, I mean't so say Valley Bridge in Scarborough, the sceneries better although the hessle foreshore pub will be on your route, that's my last post and sorry if people are offended, as if i care lol”
by mikeinhull
Wednesday, December 26 2012, 2:09PM
“See you on Soccer AM then Dave”
by Dave_Navarro
Wednesday, December 26 2012, 1:44PM
“David Nivea, It shows how completely clueless you. I have probably suffered from worse depression than Deano and for a lot longer I just don't choose to get drunk and then drive my car putting the lives of other people at risk.”
by mikeinhull
Wednesday, December 26 2012, 1:41PM
“Anyway, people being tortured and killed in Syria, Afganistan, Iran, Bransholme and the main story is about that drunk failure, come on HDM get a grip”
by mikeinhull
Wednesday, December 26 2012, 1:35PM
“sorry jackboo, me is corrected”