The horrific picture of Patricia Murphy’s bloated yellow face (below) will haunt her forever. It was taken last November, when she was on life support and close to death. Years of binge drinking had caused her organs to shut down and she had developed blood poisoning.
Shockingly, Patricia, 45, drank up to five bottles of wine a day – a huge 350 units a week, 25 times the recommended amount for women. It was only when she was rushed to hospital that she faced up to the fact she had to quit.
Now Patricia – who’s sober but suffers from cirrhosis of the liver – wants to warn others of the dangers of drinking.
Speaking as statistics show the number of alcohol-related deaths among women in their 30s and 40s has more than doubled in the past 20 years, Patricia, from Chessington, Surrey, says: “I’m lucky to be alive. When I saw the picture of myself in hospital, I was horrified. My partner Graham* took it to show me how badly I’d destroyed my body. I wasted 25 years drinking. I was so addicted I’d wake up in the morning, throw up, then go straight to the off-licence.
“I suffered from night sweats, the shakes and stomach cramps. Booze has ruined my looks too – I’d once hoped to become a model. Now my life is so much better – women should stay away from alcohol, it may seem like fun but it can wreck your life.”
Patricia started drinking at 17 after leaving school to train as a sales assistant. She recalls: “My boyfriend introduced me to alcohol – I was shy and it made me feel confident. I loved brandy and Coke and I’d drink up to 10 doubles a night at the weekend.”
At 18, Patricia started working in computer sales and began boozing most evenings.
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She says: “I’d go for a drink after work with colleagues, then get through up to a litre of brandy at home. I found my job stressful and it helped me unwind. I was enjoying myself and didn’t think I had a problem.”
Patricia’s alcoholism spiralled further out of control when she turned 28 and her parents died within five months of each other.
Patricia explains: “Alcohol blocked the pain. I’d have a glass of wine in the morning, then more throughout the day. I lived alone so there was no one to stop me. I lost my job because of it. I was so drunk I’d forget to turn up and couldn’t hold down a routine. My brothers and sisters told me I needed to cut down, but I ignored them. I was ashamed at how my life was turning out, but I couldn’t stop.”
Within a year, Patricia was drinking up to five bottles of wine a day. She says: “I’d wake up in the night drenched in sweat and shaking, then drink a couple of glasses of wine to calm me. I used my benefits money to buy booze, then I’d spend all day drinking and watching TV. I hardly ate and felt depressed.”
At 35, Patricia met her partner Graham, now 42, an engineer – who is teetotal – in a pub.
She says: “At first I hid my alcohol addiction from him – when we met up I only had a few and tried to stay in control. But when Graham moved in, he soon realised how much I was drinking. His mother was an alcoholic and he persuaded me to go to rehab, but I didn’t want to get better. As soon as I was out, I bought a bottle of wine.
“We had huge rows and we split up for a few months at one point. But he took me back.
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“I became a zombie, existing only for drink. I’d go for days without showering and didn’t do any housework. I gained 4st and my face was blotchy and puffy.”
Over the next few years Patricia was admitted to rehab twice and attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings but still couldn’t quit. Then, in November 2012, Graham persuaded her to see her GP and blood tests revealed her liver wasn’t functioning properly. She was taken to hospital and collapsed shortly after.
Patricia was put on life support and Graham was told there was a five per cent chance she’d survive. But against the odds, after five weeks, she began to recover.
She says: “I was in a lot of pain when I came round. I couldn’t believe the state I’d got myself into. Doctors told me I was so close to death that a priest had read me my last rites.
'At the moment, doctors are happy with my progress, but my life expectancy will be affected. My liver is so scarred, it will slowly stop functioning.'
Patricia spent 10 weeks in hospital – then shockingly, a month later, she drank a bottle of wine. “I know it was stupid,” she admits. “But I wanted to see if I could handle it. I was disgusted with myself afterwards. Graham was furious but I reassured him I’d never do it again.”
Patricia’s now been sober for seven months. She says: “At the moment, doctors are happy with my progress, but my life expectancy will be affected. My liver is so scarred, it will slowly stop functioning. I’ve got a scan in October and will find out if I need a transplant then.
“I feel so guilty about the hurt I’ve caused those closest to me, I’ll always regret not having a career or children.
“But for the first time, I’m looking to the future. I’m keeping busy by volunteering at a homeless charity. I’m so lucky to have a second chance – I won’t mess it up.”
Dr Sarah Jarvis from Patient.co.uk says: “Women in their 30s and 40s are bigger drinkers as they have more disposable income and it’s become more socially acceptable for women to drink. But the consequences can be very dangerous.”
For advice on alcohol addiction, call Alcohol Concern on 0800 917 8292 or visit www.alcoholconcern.org.uk