Skip to content

Ex-Bundesliga star Uli Borowka opens up about alcohol addiction to students

A national team legend's raw confession left 350 students speechless. His story of addiction and redemption is now shaping prevention efforts.

The image shows a comparison of relapse rates between drug addiction and other chronic illnesses....
The image shows a comparison of relapse rates between drug addiction and other chronic illnesses. It is a poster with text and a bar chart that displays the percentage of people who have been diagnosed with drug addiction. The chart is divided into sections, each representing a different rate of relapse. The bars are color-coded to indicate the severity of the rate, with darker colors representing higher rates and lighter colors representing lower rates.

Ex-Bundesliga star Uli Borowka opens up about alcohol addiction to students

A former Bundesliga footballer has shared his battle with alcohol addiction with students in Salzgitter. Uli Borowka, once a national team player, spoke openly about his struggles during a school event. The talk was part of an addiction prevention programme aimed at young people. The event took place at Gottfried-Linke-Realschule and Kranich-Gymnasium, where around 350 ninth- and tenth-grade students listened to Borowka’s story. He described how addiction took control of his life, damaging his career and relationships. His honest account highlighted how substance dependence can distort judgement and limit opportunities.

Organised by the AWO Braunschweig regional association, the initiative brought together multiple partners. These included Salzgitter’s Migration Citizen Services, the Salzgitter Prevention Council, and SuPer-Salzgitter e.V. Financial backing came from BKK Salzgitter and BKK Public, while AWO-Salto Addiction Support provided counselling expertise. Students and teachers responded positively to the session, praising its direct and relatable approach. Many expressed a desire to repeat the programme for future classes. Borowka urged the pupils to reflect on their own habits and recognise the risks of excessive consumption.

The prevention initiative reached hundreds of students through Borowka’s personal testimony. Schools in Salzgitter now plan to continue the programme in coming years. Organisers hope the talks will encourage young people to make informed choices about alcohol and addiction.

Read also:

Latest