PLAYING NOW: Gerard Healy, Brian Taylor, Dwayne Russell and David King talk about Ben Cousins' health scare and its ramifications.

 1:20PM: 3AW's Sports Today host Gerard Healy says the results of Ben Cousins' toxicology tests reveal the Tigers star had no alcohol in his blood system when he was rushed to hospital on Monday.

Healy said Cousins has 'been off the grog for a month'.

The reason for his hospitalisation was 'an unusual reaction to a prescription sleeping pill that was prescribed as part of his rehabilitation and he got the dosage wrong'.

Cousins is apparently and home and feeling well enough that he remains hopeful of playing for Richmond this weekend.

After Healy phoned through with this news, Richmond released the following statement: "Ben Cousins has been released from Epworth Hospital this afternoon," Richmond general manager of football Craig Cameron said today.

"Ben's condition improved significantly overnight and medical staff at the Epworth saw fit to release him from hospital this afternoon."

"The most important thing over the past 24 hours has been Ben’s health and the Club is pleased he is expected to make a full recovery. No decision has been made on his immediate playing future."

"Players are continually counselled on the correct use of prescribed medication and the club will continue to be vigilant to ensure players are well informed."

Richmond says Cousins has requested he also be drug tested by the AFL to prove beyond doubt that 'illicit drugs' were not involved.

It will be interesting to hear what Gerard Healy has to say on Sports Today after 6pm.

TUESDAY: Ben Cousins has discharged himself from Epworth Hospital.

A hospital spokesman earlier told 3AW Cousins wanted to be released today and 'he will be released if there's no medical reason to keep him in the facility'.

Cousins, who was rushed to hospital on Monday suffering from an adverse reaction to a sleeping pill (according to Richmond Football Club), spent some time in intensive care but was moved out of intensive care this morning.

"He wants to be released," reporter Tom Andronas told Neil Mitchell when asked why he was forgoing medical tests that had apparently been slated in for today.

It was believed Cousins would front the media after his release from the Epworth but the media conference has since been called off.

Richmond is expected to make another written statement available early this afternoon.

UPDATE 4:20pm: Richmond has denied veteran Ben Cousins had been drinking alcohol after the Tigers' win on Sunday prior to him being admitted to hospital after suffering an adverse reaction to a 'prescribed sleeping pill'.

The Tigers have now also confirmed it was Cousins' girlfriend who raised the alarm this morning which sparked a series of events culminating in Cousins being sedated and placed in an intensive care bed at the Epworth Hospital.

The Brownlow Medallist's partner phoned the club this morning and told the Richmond doctor she 'was having trouble rousing him' and after Tigers' medical staff arrived at Cousins' house he was then taken by ambulance to the Epworth emergency ward.

Cousins was moved to the intensive care bed this afternoon and is now in a stable condition.

The full extent of Cousins' condition 'will not be known for 24-48 hours', Richmond says.

The club also confirmed it wasn't unusal for Cousins to ingest prescribed sleeping pills.

Gerard Healy, the Sports Today host who is a mentor to Cousins, has told 3AW he spoke to the Tigers' star at 9pm last night and Cousins was 'happy and healthy' at the time.

Derryn Hinch said it's time the 'scurrilous' rumours being posted on some footy websites 'should be put to bed'.

RELATED AUDIO:

• Listen: Cousins' girlfriend sounds alarm

EARLIER: Richmond star Ben Cousins has been rushed to hospital.

The club says he has suffered an adverse reaction to a sleeping tablet and has been admitted to the Epworth Hospital.

The club says an update will be released once his condition becomes clearer.

Witnesses say Cousins appeared unconscious as he was wheeled on a stretcher after arriving by ambulance just before midday.

On 3AW Football yesterday, Cousins could not hide his excitement at the Tigers' thrilling win over Sydney.

"The whole group has been through a pretty tough period. The first three months of the year we were getting hammered," he said. "Today was just a great team win ... it makes footy all worth it doesn't it?"

Cousins told 3AW he'd love to go around again next year.

"I am really enjoying my footy and if I play good footy it will take care of itself," said Cousins.

"Either way I will be happy."

Gerald Quigley confirmed with 3AW adverse reactions to sleeping tablets 'can happen'.

"It's obviously part of a very complex player management issue with what happens these days," Quigley told Denis Walter.

"Perhaps in this case it was just an adverse reaction, maybe something else was causing the problem, maybe he just didnt tolerate them all that well."

In relation to whether Cousins' abdomen issues from earlier this year - which saw him spend time in hospital - could have affected his latest medical emergency, Quigley said: "Everyone responds differently to these sorts of medicines and probably the half a tablet that puts you or I to sleep ... we don't get as euphoric as an AFL footballer gets and they usually have to have other things."

It is not yet known what Cousins ingested prior to being admitted to hospital.

'Oh we're from Tigerland!'

Richmond is off the bottom of the AFL ladder after a thrilling come-from-behind win over Sydney on Sunday. Listen to the players belt out the song in the rooms and Brett Deledio's analysis of the game.
RICHMOND 3.0, 5.0, 9.3, 14.5 (89)
SYDNEY 3.3, 6.6, 10.11, 12.13 (85)