Former rugby league star Kent Bray has disclosed the extent of his cocaine addiction, revealing he consumed up to 30 grams of the drug per week at the height of his habit. Bray, who played for NSW against the British and Irish Lions in 1989 and later with the Harlequins, also held a director position on Citibank's foreign exchange desk in London.
Bray, 62, stated that his cocaine use began in the early 2000s after being introduced to the drug by a Harlequins supporter. His habit escalated to the point where a drug dealer would visit him daily. He described the routine as picking up three grams of cocaine each morning and using it throughout the day.
At its peak, Bray was reportedly using 20 to 30 grams of cocaine weekly, equating it to consuming 40 bottles of wine. "I wasn't doing it because I was enjoying it. I was doing it because I was addicted," he told City AM.
His addiction significantly impacted his appearance, leading to extreme weight loss. By 2015, friends visiting from Australia expressed concern, asking if he had AIDS or cancer due to his skeletal appearance. One friend reportedly remarked that they might not see him again given his trajectory.
Despite being urged by former Wallabies star Troy Coker to seek professional help, Bray struggled to overcome his addiction. An initial stint in rehab resulted in only eight days of sobriety before he relapsed, consuming a large quantity of cocaine alone in a hotel room. He described hitting rock bottom, feeling mentally fragile and spiritually bankrupt, and risking death.
Bray marked his first clean day on June 18, 2016, and has remained abstinent from cocaine since. During his peak usage, he was spending approximately $160,000 annually on the drug.