ANOTHER CHANCE: Troubled All Black Zac Guildford has been given another lifeline by the New Zealand Rugby Union and will rejoin the Crusaders.

All Black Zac Guildford has for the first time publicly admitted he is an alcoholic after being reinstated by the NZRU today.

A brutally honest Guildford told a packed room of media in Wellington he had finally accepted he had a mental illness that includes "addictive tendencies".

The Crusaders and All Blacks wing answered simply "Yes" when asked if he was an alcoholic.

Guildford said he had been "powerless" against alcohol in the past, but no longer believed he would struggle say no to a drink.

‘‘If you asked me this time last year while I was still in denial I guess it would have been. But now I’ve been away, I’ve seen the experts and had help. I have a great acceptance of who I am,’’ the 24-year-old said.

‘‘My understanding was limited around alcoholism and the issue I had. That’s the first step admitting I was powerless over alcohol and once I realised that everything became a bit easier.’’

The turning point had come during a month long stay in a rehabilitation facility, he said.

‘‘The first step was acceptance. I went away to a facility for 28 days where I learned lot. I guess I went in there thinking I knew it all, but I didn’t.

‘‘That’s when I got out of the denial stage and started accepting who I am and realised I can’t keep doing what I’ve done in the past.’’

Asked why he had finally decided to accept professional help he said:

‘‘Look at the damage it’s [alcohol] caused for me. It’s a pretty small sacrifice and the road I’ve been down for the past 60 days has been a happy one and a pleasant one and one I want to continue.’’

Guildford said his problems traced back to his youth and didn’t believe it was related to the pressures of playing rugby at the top level.

‘‘It was just part of who I was growing up. We all did it and I was just one of the ones who couldn’t handle it,’’ he said.

Asked if he was also a problem gambler, Guildford said:

‘‘Alcohol’s the main thing for me but I have addictive tendencies. Where some people eat two pieces of chocolate, I’ll eat two blocks.’’

He couldn’t guarantee he would never drink again, but was hopeful that would be the case.

‘‘At the end of the day if I want to drink I’m going to drink. It’s quite easy to go down to the shop and buy beer isn’t it. But I’ve realised I can’t do that.’’

Teammates had been ‘‘positive’’ and ‘‘supportive’’ and he was looking forward to addressing the Crusaders squad tomorrow.

Guildford said he had ‘‘support structures’’ in place in Christchurch including teammate Israel Dagg who was ‘‘like a brother’’.

He would be attending AA meetings among other things as he continues his recovery and hoped to be playing for the Crusaders ‘‘as soon as possible’’.

Flanked by New Zealand Rugby Union professional manager Neil Sorensen, Guildford was composed as he answered a barrage of questions.

Sorensen said the decision not to rip up Guildford’s contract had not been an easy one.

‘‘Zac’s under no illusion that this was a really close call. Termination was absolutely on the table even up until last night,’’ he said.

‘‘It wasn’t easy and it certainly wasn’t predetermined. In fact I think an easier decision would have been to terminate. I think we’ve made a tough decision, but the right decision.’’

Guildford’s honesty had tipped the scales, Sorensen said.

‘‘The key thing we’ve seen is that for the first time since we’ve been dealing with this young man he’s being honest with us, and honest with himself and his friends.

‘‘We wish we were at this stage 14 months ago, post Rarotonga, but we didn’t get there.

‘‘The difference really is Zac said ‘I’m an alcoholic’ and all the medical information and experts have said this kids an alcoholic and he has a mental illness and Zac has accepted that.

‘‘Over the last two days it didn’t really matter what submissions were put forward. When this man spoke of himself in brutal honesty it wasn’t a hard decision to make.’’

He believed the NZRU had been a ‘‘responsible employer’’ and stopped short of saying it was Guildford’s ‘‘last chance’’.

‘‘Us saying, ‘you can’t drink again’, that’s arrogant of us. Zac Guildford without alcohol is an incredibly popular, really well liked and a good bloke. Zac and alcohol, he makes bad choices.’’

Sorensen said mental illness was a ‘‘societal issue’’ and that rugby was just a ‘‘slice of society’’.

Meanwhile Todd Blackadder is not guaranteeing Guildford a free pass back into the Crusaders starting side.

The wing has not been named in the Crusaders team to face the Bulls at AMI Stadium on Saturday night and coach Blackadder refused to indicate whether he will be considered for the following weekend’s game against the Kings at the same venue.

Blackadder said Guildford still needed to work through a ‘‘re-integration’’ process.

This will involve meetings with the former All Blacks wing, a medical examination and fitness testing.

‘‘As soon as we know where he is, the state of his fitness, the sooner he will be back.’’