Tony Adams says that gambling is the main problem that sees players come through his Sporting Chance clinic.

The former Arsenal captain, who had a very public battle with alcoholism and set up the clinic to help others, stated that alcohol has been overtaken by gambling as footballers find themselves ‘cash-rich’.

Currently the football director of Gabala in Azerbaijan, Adams said at Soccerex last week “The illness of addiction is different now. With the internet now, gambling is massive.

“I think 70 percent of our clients, who come through as patients are gambling addicts. There has been a big shift away from booze to gambling.”

Sporting Chance doesn’t just treat footballers, with rugby players and people from other sports also utilising its services as they try and deal with their addictions.

About the clinic, Adams says on their website “Sporting Chance is absolutely up there with all the medals I’ve ever won, the England cap and everything. I’m very proud of what I created here.

“I know how valuable seeing a counsellor is from my own experience. It was my path into recovery. I wanted a new life and couldn’t share everything; some of it was too personal.

“I have always kept up one-to-one counselling.”

Sporting Chance offers one-to-one counselling, residential treatment and education and training programmes in a bid to help individuals “take an honest look at their behaviour and make informed choices as to their situation.”

If you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction, more information on finding help can be found on the NHS Choices website.