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Soccer Star Abby Wambach: I Abused Alcohol, Prescription Drugs For Years

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MIAMI (AP) -- Abby Wambach says she abused alcohol and prescription drugs for years until her arrest in April for driving under the influence.

Soccer's most prolific scorer tells The Associated Press in a phone interview: "I was stubborn and I was in denial."

In "Forward," her memoir being released Tuesday, the retired U.S. national team star recounts her career, from the lows of losing her high school championship to the highs of winning the Women's World Cup last year. She chronicles her marriage to fellow soccer player Sarah Huffman and the struggles they faced.

Related: Female Players Accuse Soccer Federation Of Wage Discrimination

She also candidly describes her bouts with vodka and pills, which included Vicodin, Ambien and Adderall.

With 184 goals, Wambach is the leading career scorer — male or female — in international soccer. She retired last December after 15 years with the U.S. women's national team. She won two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup title with the team.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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