Cousins in massive bender last week: reports

By ninemsn staff

Ben Cousins was reportedly in the middle of a three-day partying spree last week while his family pledged support for him in the face of damaging drug allegations.

A source close to the Cousins camp told the Herald Sun that the West Coast Eagle hit the town after being suspended indefinitely by the club.

Cousins' hard partying last week explains why he could not front the media or release a statement about his condition on his own behalf.

But after spending the weekend recovering from the massive bender, Cousins reportedly woke up on Monday eager to seek treatment for his alcohol and drug abuse problems.

West Coast and Cousins' family have planned a comprehensive path to recovery for the Brownlow medallist, including the specific type of rehabilitation he needs and the date at which he could return to the field.

Cousins is now "thinking straight and ready to listen", according to the unnamed source.

He is still likely to head overseas soon, possibly to Arizona, for drug and alcohol treatment.

The source expects the flight out of the country — for which the AFL has offered the star player a private charter — could be this week or in a fortnight, depending on Cousins' frame of mind.