– I have a serious substance abuse problem – VG

– I have a serious substance abuse problem, consisting of alcohol, drugs and pills in connection with periodic hard fasting lately. And there has been a lot of hard partying lately, says Northug.

He emphasizes that he did not use any drugs or narcotics when he was an active skier.

– I have not taken it seriously, denied it and hidden it from those around me. I have failed again and would like to apologize to everyone concerned. Especially family, friends and partners, Northug admits.

Northug denies he was intoxicated when he was stopped by police on Thursday. This is how he explains what happened:

– I was at a party Tuesday night, until late at night on Wednesday. Both alcohol and cocaine were taken there, and late Wednesday night I drove to Trysil. Thursday I was at the ski school, says Northug.

– I did not take alcohol or drugs from night to Wednesday until I was stopped by the police when I drove a savage on the way home from Trysil. I drove well over 200 kilometers per hour in the 80 zone. I was also stupid enough to film it with the phone.

Northug says that the drug problem has gradually arisen after he put the skis on the shelf.

– I have done a lot I am ashamed of in the pursuit of excitement and intense experiences. Now it has gone awry and I need help, says Northug.

He says that the hardest period of intoxication was last summer, before it calmed down last winter. Now it has stepped up through the spring and summer.

– I take the verdict I get, Northug says when asked how he views the charge.

The former skier says that the police found NOK 40,000 in cash in his car when he was stopped, in addition to both cocaine and sleeping pills in his home.

– I am in despair. I have reached the bottom of my life, and realize that I need professional help, says Northug.

He goes on to say that the Olympic Summit is now building a team that involves both psychologists and medical help.

On Thursday, just over a week ago, Northug was stopped by the police in Romerike after driving at 168 kilometers per hour. At the scene, the police suspected that he was driving under the influence of drugs. As far as VG understands, he also tested positive on a saliva sample.

Thus, the police chose to take him to the police station to take a blood sample, and to conduct a search of Northug’s home. There, the police have found a small amount of drugs. Northug has subsequently admitted that it is cocaine, and according to VG’s information, it should be about ten grams. It also confirms Northug himself.

The 34-year-old is now formally charged with three offenses: Two violations of the Road Traffic Act and one drug offense. The first two are for driving in the 168 km / h 110 zone and for having been under the influence of drugs while driving, the last for violation of section 231 of the Criminal Code for having stored drugs.