Michelle Heaton has opened up about her battle with alcoholism - and how she used to find New Year a particularly hard holiday to face.
The 44-year-old singer is approaching another year of sobriety after confronting her demons in 2021. Michelle says in the depths of her addiction she would desperately vow to give up alcohol on New Years Day only to start drinking again hours later. The mum-of-two would drink a litre of vodka and a bottle of wine on New Year’s Eve - only to drink the following day in order to calm her nerves.
Michelle - who is a member of chart topping band Liberty X and shares Michelle, who shares children Faith, 11, and AJ, nine, with personal trainer husband Hugh Hanley - found she ‘couldn’t stop herself’ from drinking on New Year’s Day even though she was desperate not to. But she is able to look back at her low points now with a sense of pride as it shows her how far she has come.
The singer says her first Christmas and New Year sober was ‘really tough’ but she is finding the festive season easier to get through each year. She will also celebrate another year of sobriety in the spring after she sought help during lockdown.
Opening up to The Sun, Michelle said: “Every New Year, for at least the five years before I quit, I promised myself, and everyone else, that I’d stop drinking. I would swear I’d be sober for January - but by midday on the 1st I’d be drunk again, back on the Bellinis. I just couldn’t stop.
Michelle Heaton posts photos of moment she collapsed and was rushed to hospital“Although April is my sobriety anniversary, this will be my third New Year sober. And when I think about it like that, it really is amazing.
“That first Christmas and New Year was really tough - of course, I wanted to drink and I had to really fight that. But I got through it, and then the second one was easier.”
Michelle checked into rehab in April 2021 to battle addictions for alcohol and cocaine - as she would drink two bottles of wine and take lines of cocaine every day at her lowest point. Seven months after kicking her habits, Michelle confessed she was still fighting health issues related to her addiction.
She told OK! in December 2021: “I still suffer with problems with my pancreas and have to take medication, but my liver is fully repaired and I’m really healthy.”
The star has had the support of her husband, who has stood by her side as she battle to get herself clear of drugs and alcohol. In a post interview he opened up about sticking with his wife, explaining to The Sun in 2021: "The last three or four years have been extremely tough knowing Michelle was in there but the addictions were ripping her apart."
"There were many times where I could have walked away, it would have been easier. There’s no getting away from it, life with an addict is extraordinarily hard. We’ve got a second chance."
If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk