The Telegraph claims that Stokes made his decision after realizing that going out late at night would have made his prior problems worse.
Since undergoing hamstring surgery in December of last year, the 32-year-old cricket player has struggled with recurrent problems.
Stokes’s Commitment to Sobriety
Ben Stokes revealed in an interview with The Telegraph that he has remained alcohol-free since January 2, the day he began his rehabilitation following surgery. Speaking on the Untapped podcast, he opened up about the personal decision to give up drinking during his recovery period.
“After my first major injury, I remember the shock of it… thinking, ‘How has this happened?’ We did have a bit of a drink four or five nights ago—could that have played a part? It wouldn’t have helped,” Stokes reflected.
Injury Struggles
Stokes’s recent struggles with injury began during The Hundred in August 2024, causing him to miss the Test series against Sri Lanka. He continued to battle fitness issues during the series against Pakistan and then re-injured himself during a Test match in Hamilton, New Zealand.
England’s home season is set to begin with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe, followed by a demanding five-Test series against India, and will conclude six months later with The Ashes.
Future Outlook and Determination
Determined to return stronger, Stokes has committed himself fully to the recovery process, stating that alcohol will not interfere with his path back to the game.
“I said to myself, ‘Not until I finish my injury rehab and get back on the field,’” he shared. He also acknowledged the extra effort required off the field: “I feel like I have to work so much harder away from the field, in the gym and all that, to give me the best chance of being out there.”
Current Status
Stokes has been out of competitive cricket since December, following his injury during the final Test against New Zealand. Currently, his focus is solely on Test cricket, although he hasn’t officially retired from ODIs or T20Is.