by Katie Lamborn
The wife of a recovering alcoholic has told of her husband's battle with booze - and how drink almost ruined her life.

In the latest in our series of reports to mark Alcohol Awareness Week, Chris, who did not want to reveal her full identity, opened her heart to KentOnline.

Audio: Chris speaks to reporter Katie Lamborn about living with an alcoholic

She said: "Alcoholism is the only illness where you help the most, by walking away."

The mum, from East Kent, is married to a recovering alcoholic and was beaten as a child by the father she now thinks could have been an addict.

"Once the drinker sees that you’re no longer there as their kicking boy, very often they realise they need to get help themselves," she said.

"Walking away and finding an Al-Anon meeting literally saved my life."

Al-Anon is a support group for friends and families of alcoholics – there are meetings every day throughout Kent.

"I had two small children and a husband in trouble – I was in absolute despair," said Chris.

"Alcoholism does not just affect the drinker."

Figures from Al-Anon show for every addict there are six to 10 family members and friends touched by their actions.

"For me, going to the meeting made me realise I was addicted to addicts," said Chris.

"I’m not exactly an ambulance chaser but I realised I get very interested and caught up in everyone else problems."

"Now I know it’s not up to me to fix everything."

"I got into a lot of relationships with drunk people when I was young and my childhood was the reason for that.

"I grew up hating my dad because he was a very loving person who would suddenly change in to being violent and punishing.

"I wish someone would have told me when I was a kid that it’s not normal for your dad to knock you about.

"My best advice is don’t get into the boxing ring – alcoholics blame everyone else around them because they feel so bad about themselves.

"Please remember it’s not your fault, you didn’t cause it, you can’t control it."

http://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/alateen