Cus rushed to hospital and now in Intensive Care for observation [update]

[one-eyed]

Ben Cousins agrees with AFL claim that legal drug abuse is exaggerated

  * Wes Hosking, Jon Ralph 
  * Herald Sun
  * July 07, 2010

UPDATE 12.15pm:

BEN Cousins has backed the AFL's insistence that legal drug abuse is not rampant in the game.

Speaking at Punt Rd oval this morning after the medical scare that resulted in him spending a night in an intensive care ward, Cousins said he had "been in a bit of a bad way a couple of days ago, but was now "feeling pretty fresh".

Cousins was rushed to hospital on Monday after the bungled use of super-strength sleeping tablets but was discharged yesterday.

Audio: Click here to hear what Ben Cousins had to say

When asked today whether the use of legal stimulants and downers was rampant in the game, Cousins said he had not seen them taken excessively.

"I don’t think it’s abused," he said. "I just think with stuff like that it’s important to consult your club doctor.

"It’s certainly not an illegal substance. A cup of coffee does virtually the same thing. I don’t see it a problem. I haven’t seen it abused."

He added that excessive use of caffeine would likely have an adverse effect on a player's performance.

Cousins said he had only scant memories of Monday's incident, which resulted in him being admitted to hospital as a result of what he said was taking too much of a prescribed medication.

"I got the dosage wrong and had an adverse effect from the medication,'' he said.

"I found myself in a bit of strife and I guess it's probably a lesson for everybody, it's not just the medication that you're taking, but in particular how much of it.

"It's been a big wake-up call for me, so I was in a bit of a bad way a couple of days ago.''

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ben-cousins-confused-by-strong-pills/story-e6frf9io-1225888709048

[eliminator]

Hope he can play this week.

[one-eyed]

Here's the vision of the media conference with Cuz this morning for those that missed it....

http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-football-blog/ben-cousins-press-conference/20100707-zzq8.html

[one-eyed]

Cuz - "Don't panic guys, it's decaf" 

[one-eyed]

Cousins admits taking double dose of sleeping pills
MEGAN LEVY
July 8, 2010 - 11:40AM


Ben Cousins says he took about double the recommended dosage of tablets to help him sleep before he was rushed to hospital unconscious on Monday morning suffering from a severe reaction.

The Richmond veteran today revealed he had been taking sleeping tablets for much of his career, but on this occasion had switched to a new type of prescribed tablet and got the dosage wrong.

His comments came as the Tigers ruled the 32-year-old out of Richmond's side to meet Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said the Brownlow Medallist was desperate to play, but he would have to wait at least until the following week's match against North Melbourne.

When Cousins was asked on Radio Nova today if he had taken double the recommended dosage of sleeping tablets, he replied: “Yeah, along those lines.”

He declined to identify what type of tablets they were, other than to say it was "not your typical sleeping tablet".

Cousins took the tablets about 2am on Monday morning, after the Tigers' thrilling come-from-behind win against the Sydney Swans on Sunday afternoon.

He said the team was "stoked" after the win and, despite having a six-day break, he headed home afterwards to recover.

"So I went home, my missus cooked me a feed, I sat on the couch and rang the world so I could try to get to sleep," he said, adding that he did not drink any alcohol.

"I was just watching the Tour de France and whatever was on TV and then when it was time to I thought 'Uh, oh, I've had enough now, I have to get some sleep'."

After taking the tablets he fell asleep on the lounge and did not remember anything until Tuesday morning, when he woke in Epworth Hospital's intensive care unit.

His experience should serve as a warning to others about the dangers of taking sleeping tablets incorrectly, he said.

"You saw what happened to Heath Ledger, and you know that's sort of a well-known person ... but it happens all the time in the community," he said.

"If you're going to go over, that's more than likely the way it will happen."

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/cousins-admits-taking-double-dose-of-sleeping-pills-20100708-101dc.html