Kelly’s Wake-Up Call: How Alcohol Nearly Cost Her Liver and Her Life

For Kelly, 40, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, daily alcohol use masked her insecurities, numbed her pain, and gave her a false sense of confidence. But beneath the surface, it was starting to destroy her body. By the time she realised the damage, she was on the brink of losing everything – including her liver.

Kelly’s drinking started when she was a teenager, it was a way to escape her anxiety and shyness. What started as occasional nights out quickly spiralled into a daily habit in her twenties. She convinced herself she was in control – she held a job as a dental nurse, paid her bills, and maintained the appearance of a normal life. But behind closed doors, alcohol dictated her every move.

“Because of my inability to reduce my drinking, I ended up spoiling every magical moment in life. I once went to New York for Christmas shopping and ended up so drunk, I can’t even remember the second day in America. Looking back, it’s really sad – I just couldn’t control the alcohol.”

Alcohol-specific deaths are at their highest levels in the UK since records began in 2001. While the problem is bigger in men – particularly older men – more women under the age of 45 are dying due to alcohol-related liver disease, or ARLD, than ever before, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures from 2001-22.

The pandemic only accelerated Kelly’s decline. When the amount of alcohol Kelly was drinking started creeping up, she always thought she was in complete control. “I thought that I could drink less if I wanted to, and I was alright. A hangover here and there I could manage if I enjoyed a drink on a night; what’s the problem? But I was in denial. Alcohol was becoming a big problem for me; I just didn’t want to accept it.

What started as a glass or two of wine on a night after work gradually escalated to three bottles a day, eventually turning into a litre of vodka.

Alcohol was everywhere – talked up in adverts, promoted and discounted in every supermarket, and just a normal part of daily life.

In 2019, Kelly’s drinking reached a breaking point. Her body was starting to shut down, she was constantly shaking, nauseous, and fatigued. Then came the hospital visit that changed everything.

“I never expected to hear such devastating news about my liver. The doctors told me it was functioning at its absolute maximum, struggling to keep up with the damage I had inflicted upon it. If I didn’t stop drinking immediately, my liver wouldn’t last another year.”

She had developed fibrosis – early-stage liver scarring. The next stage was cirrhosis, a point of no return. If she didn’t quit alcohol, she would face end-stage liver disease, liver failure, or worse.

“Hearing that my liver was in such a fragile state shook me. The doctors at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle were clear: I could still reverse or halt the damage, but only if I stopped drinking immediately. If I ignored their warnings, I would find myself facing the reality of organ failure.”

Fast forward 6 years and even today, Kelly undergoes regular fibro scans to monitor her liver’s condition—a constant reminder of how close she came to irreversible damage.

Kelly knew she needed help. In late 2019, she reached out to Plummer Court Drug and Alcohol Services in Newcastle. But quitting wasn’t as simple as just stopping.

“I learned that quitting cold turkey wasn’t safe for someone like me. My body had become so dependent on alcohol that a sudden stop could have been life-threatening.”

With the support of a key worker, she underwent a medically supervised detox. On Christmas Eve 2019 – while the world was celebrating—Kelly was experiencing her first sober day in years. The real challenge, however, was staying sober.

“Living without alcohol was terrifying,” Kelly admits. “I didn’t know who I was without it.”

She relapsed multiple times, but each setback reinforced the severity of her situation. The final wake-up call came in June 2022, when another relapse pushed her health to the edge.

“It was the last straw. I knew that going sober was my only path forward. I had to fully accept that alcohol had no place in my life.”

With renewed determination and incredible support, she committed to going sober, this time for good.

Now, in 2025, Kelly works for Cumbria, Northumberland,Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust that helped save her life. While she still faces challenges, she manages them with healthier coping mechanisms.

“In 2025, I’m in a place I never could have dreamed of. I’m two and a half years sober, and I’m loving my life. It’s incredible how you appreciate the little things. Even looking up at the sky, taking a deep breath – you don’t have a headache, you’re not shaking or dizzy. You are still, calm, and at peace with yourself. It’s something I will never take for granted.”

One of the toughest things about staying sober is dealing with a world where alcohol is everywhere. It’s in supermarket aisles, all over TV ads, and always shown as the way to relax and have fun. But Kelly knows from experience that’s not true—and that it’s even harder to resist when withdrawal kicks in.

“What shocked me the most was sitting in a hospital ward, being treated for alcohol-related liver damage, and realising I wasn’t alone. I was surrounded by people my age, all dealing with the same horrifying consequences of alcohol abuse. We were all confused, scared, and wondering how our lives had spiralled to this point.”

Kelly wants others to recognise the warning signs before it’s too late.

“If my story resonates with you, take that first step today. You’re worth it. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, reach out to local support services. Help is available, and a brighter future is possible.”