The winger's difficulties came to a head on April 30 last year when he was detained under the Mental Health Act amid concerns over his welfare. He subsequently had treatment at The Priory and, a year on, the signs are encouraging.
Lennon looked happy and relaxed as he spoke at Burnley's training ground on Friday. 'I was in a dark, dark place for a long time,' he said, 'and now just waking up every day and getting excited to come to training again and enjoying each day again is massive for me. The turnaround from this time last year is massive.'
Lennon's story is a reminder that wealth and success do not guarantee happiness. He has been a regular at the top level of English football since becoming the Premier League's youngest debutant — at 16 for Leeds — and going on to play for England at two World Cups.
Yet he says something was not right in the years before he moved to Burnley from Everton for £1.5million in January, following a move from Tottenham in 2015 which was intended to rekindle his career after his chances became limited.
'Probably for the last four or five years, I was not enjoying my football,' he said.
'But for the period since joining Burnley, I am really enjoying it again. The key thing for me was just to get back to playing football and doing what I love.
'I wouldn't have said that I'd fallen out of love with football but I've been through long periods of not being involved in the squads. But to come here and be involved literally from the moment I got here and start enjoying my football again, it's been brilliant.'
To his great surprise, the 31-year-old winger will be involved in a Europa League campaign, with Sean Dyche's side having secured their place before Sunday's home game against Bournemouth.
'I didn't think I'd be playing back in Europe again, no, but I'm really looking forward to it,' added Lennon, who says Burnley's first European campaign since 1967 may even inspire a new tattoo.
'I'm getting one next week but I can't tell you what it will be,' he smiled. Then, unable to resist a joke, he added: 'Maybe it will say: 'Burnley going on a European tour'!'
Source: Daily Mail