Nine months is usually associated with the creation of life, but for Claus Lundekvam, it was enough time for his to fall apart.
It started on July 18, 2008. The Southampton icon hobbled onto the St Mary's turf for a late cameo, greeted with rapturous applause from more than 18,000 adoring fans.
Lundekvam made more than 400 appearances for Southampton
He dealt with some of the league's most feared strikers
It was a testimonial at 35 for a legend whose career was cruelly cut short by injury.
And as he left the field moments later, the lights went out.
Not only on a glittering career, which saw him spend 14 seasons at Saints, but on life itself.
By March 2009, the former Norway captain was lost in a cloud of alcohol and drugs, which would eventually result in two suicide attempts.
Likened to Alan Hansen by Matt Le Tissier during his playing days, the defender was suddenly vulnerable, searching for an irreplaceable feeling that would tear his world apart.
Lundekvam wasn't ready for the emptiness which followed retirement
Football, and everything that came with it, made him feel alive - but now there was nothing. No purpose, no identity.
Nothing, except money and a lot of time to burn it.
His wife took his two daughters back to Norway so they didn't see their father like this.
Once considered a man powerful enough to stop Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer, Lundekvam resorted to hiding in his wardrobe and hunting imaginary paparazzi in his garden.
Riddled with addiction and consigned to a life without meaning, the legendary captain of his country was not beyond saving. There is always a way out.
Lundekvam was adored at St Mary's
The 48-year-old found the help he so desperately needed at the Sporting Chance Clinic, a recovery facility for athletes set up by former Arsenal captain Tony Adams.
And Lundekvam is not alone. 'After The Lights Go Out' on talkSPORT explores the struggles of retirement, a mental departure from sport, which often comes too early and without any support.
Speaking to talkSPORT on the latest episode, which airs at 9pm on Sunday, Lundekvam bravely took us through his darkest moments.
"From my testimonial to waking up every morning and having to drink a milking glass of pure vodka - that only took nine months," he said.
"It's quite unbelievable how quickly I was losing myself and found myself in a hopeless situation which I couldn't see a way out of.
He was forced to retire at 35 due to a persistent injury
"I was so tired and so depressed. My life was horizontal for 23 hours a day. I was just ordering the things I needed to have: alcohol, pills and cocaine.
"I was destroying myself slowly but surely. Actually, pretty quickly.
"It ended up with a lot of paranoia, a lot of anxiety. So much came with it that I tried to take my own life twice.
"Luckily I didn't succeed. The other time, I had so much guilt and shame about where I was, being a legend of the club, all of a sudden I was completely lost and destroyed."
You can hear the full interview with Claus Lundekvam in 'After The Lights Go Out' this Sunday from 9pm on talkSPORT.
If affected by any of the issues discussed, call Samaritans on 116 123 any time.
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