Grayson Hart was scrum-half for the Scotland national team when, aged 25, he was diagnosed with a degenerative knee injury.
“All the cartilage in my knee had worn away. I was advised that if I did not want to have a knee replacement before the age of 40, I should retire from rugby.”
Hart kept playing — “rugby was what I loved and all I knew” — but his injury worsened so much he had to take painkillers through training and matches.
“It started with normal anti-inflammatories, but prolonged use meant my tolerance built up. At the worst point I was taking six opioid-based painkillers a day. The scariest part was when I realised how addictive these had become, and my moods, sleep, and gut health were all affected by the painkillers.”
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