Anthony Ha-Jin Kim is a world-famous American professional golfer with three PGA Tour wins. From 2010 to 2012, Anthony endured thumb, Achilles tendon and spinal injuries that impacted his ability to play golf. In 2014, he publicly announced his withdrawal from the sport. After a long absence, Anthony returned to the golf scene in 2024. However, more than his return to professional competition made headlines. Kim shocked the world when he disclosed his decades-long battle with substance abuse and addiction.
What Anthony Kim Has Publicly Shared About His Addiction
In a 2025 Instagram post, Kim announced he was celebrating 2 years of sobriety. The golfer shared details of his journey, saying he was barely able to walk into the rehabilitation treatment center because his body was shutting down. He credited rehab with allowing him to safely withdraw from substance use and find faith and purpose.
Anthony’s post was raw and transparent, giving his fans an inside look at aspects of his life and recovery journey. He said he was suicidal for almost 2 decades as he struggled with addiction and mental illness, even when he was at the height of his career and playing on the PGA Tour. The golfer shared how he used drugs every day to numb his pain and became an expert at hiding his addiction from everyone.
Finally, his substance use caught up with him, and he realized he needed help. In his post, he shared, “I promised myself when I was in the ER for 6 days that I would do everything I could to make a difference, to show my daughter that it’s never too late to keep trying.”
Ultimately, the support and encouragement received from his wife, daughter and friends during the rehab process helped him get and stay sober. The golfer also used his post to spread a message of hope, saying, “People who are letting addiction ruin their lives, as I did, [know] that you can turn your life around.”
Sunlight Recovery echoes this message, as we’ve helped hundreds of individuals with varying degrees of addiction find their way to a drug-free life.
The Pressures of Professional Sports and Mental Health
In an April 2024 interview with David Feherty of LIV Golf, Anthony reflected on how being a professional athlete impacted his mental health and substance use. He shared, “Golf is important to me and not important to me at the same time. I’ve had some very dark moments. I’ve had some very low moments. I’ve felt very alone, even when there’s a million people around. I needed to get my mind straight and figure out what my purpose was on this planet.”
He had the whole world watching him, expecting him to succeed, and this was a lot to cope with. Ultimately, the athlete turned to drugs not only to deal with injury-related pain but to help him survive the stress he was under.
Anthony isn’t the first athlete to face the immense pressure of performing. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles had to withdraw from several events at the 2021 Tokyo games due to mental health issues and recently spoke openly about the underlying causes.
Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps is another strong advocate for mental health awareness in sports. At the height of his career, Phelps shared how he dealt with crippling anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
His Journey Away From the Spotlight and Toward Recovery
For Anthony, his wife and daughter were the main sources of inspiration and support on his journey. They were his reason for seeking professional help, and he shared, “I’m so blessed to have both of those women in my life. I wake up with a feeling of gratitude every morning.”
Social support has been identified as a critical factor in the success of a recovery journey. At Sunlight Recovery, we offer group therapy programs to help individuals find a secure support system as they go through treatment.
After taking a long break from the spotlight, Anthony is slowly returning to the golfing profession. He wanted to share his story and clear up misconceptions about his motivations for leaving. He had a disability insurance payout of between $10 million and $20 million, and people thought he just took a big check and disappeared.
Kim clarified his reasons for leaving in the Feherty interview, saying, “I know public perception is that I took this money and ran and decided I was just going to hang out. That wasn’t the case at all. I had multiple, multiple surgeries in a few years. And my body is still not what it used to be.”
The truth was, Anthony had to leave sports to prioritize his health. It was the right choice because staying in the golf world was keeping him addicted. He stepped away, sought help, and has returned to the sport with a sober, clear head, and a bright future ahead of him.
Why Athlete Openness Reduces Stigma Around Substance Use
Kim has told his story to offer hope to others. Two decades of addiction is a long battle, but he made it through. Today, he’s a shining example of how it’s never too late to seek help.
Sharing his story is also valuable in reducing the stigma surrounding substance use. In 2024, an estimated 48.4 million Americans dealt with a substance use disorder (SUD) in the previous year, yet only 1 in 5 received treatment for their condition.
Ending the stigma is crucial so people can feel comfortable seeking help and asking loved ones for support when they need it. When athletes like Anthony Kim and other famous people talk openly about their addiction challenges, it helps spark change in both public and personal perceptions about substance abuse.
Find Support With Sunlight Recovery
Take inspiration from Anthony’s story and see the benefit of seeking professional treatment and support. At Sunlight Recovery, we offer a variety of programs to treat mental health conditions and addiction, including medically supervised detox. Reach out to us today and take the first step toward a better tomorrow.
