Michelle Heaton opens up about the 'mental torture' of alcoholism (2024)

Michelle Heaton has opened up about the 'mental torture' of alcoholism as she shared a video from before her sobriety.

The Liberty X singer, 44,has been sober for three years and two months after she nearly died and was hospitalised in 2021 during her battle with drink and drugs.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday amid alcohol awareness week, Michelle said it was with a 'heavy heart' that she needed to share a video from her 41st birthday - when she was in the throws of her addiction.

In the clip, Michelle is seen speaking to the camera about being left to open her birthday presents alone on the floor after falling asleep at 4pm, still in her clothes and with her make-up on.

'The kids have gone and I'm sat here by myself opening up my own presents,' mother-of-two Michelle said in the clip. 'Oh my god I feel awful.'

Michelle Heaton has opened up about the 'mental torture' of alcoholism as she shared a video from before her sobriety on Instagram on Thursday (Pictured with her husband Hugh Hanley in 2021)

The Liberty X singer, 44, has been sober for three years and two months after she nearly died and was hospitalised in 2021 during her battle with drink and drugs

Michelle has been married to Irish businessman Hugh Hanley since 2010 and the pair share two children, daughter Faith, 12, and son AJ, 10.

In the video, where Michelle is seen surrounding by presents and a bottle of wine, she says: 'I'm opening up my cards and presents with no one. I actually think I might cry.

'I fell asleep in my clothes and my make-up at half four, I think I might be sick. I think I might be sick, I can't do today. I might go back to bed.

'What am I going to do, f*** what will I do? I can't believe I’m opening up my own cards and presents on the floor.

Along with the video, Michelle shared a picture of herself cuddled into husband Hugh on the day she finally asked for help with her addiction.

'I share this video with a heavy heart,' Michelle captioned the post. 'This week is alcohol awareness week.

'So a took a look back at the last few years of my mental torture and how I was broken. I came across this video.

'I am now 3 years and 2 months sober ❤️ I don't recognise this person. This was my 41st birthday I'm coming up to my 45th in 2 weeks time… I would not be here if I didn’t surrender or accept I was an alcoholic!'

Michelle has been married to Irish businessman Hugh Hanley since 2010 and the pair share two children, daughter Faith, 12, and son AJ, 10 (Pictured in August 2023)

Taking to Instagram on Thursday amid alcohol awareness week, Michelle said it was with a 'heavy heart' that she needed to share a video from her 41st birthday - when she was in the throws of her addiction

In the clip, Michelle is seen speaking to the camera about being left to open her birthday presents alone on the floor after falling asleep at 4pm, still in her clothes and with her make-up on

In the video, where Michelle is seen surrounding by presents and a bottle of wine, she says: 'I'm opening up my cards and presents with no one. I actually think I might cry'

'I share this video with a heavy heart,' Michelle captioned the post. 'This week is alcohol awareness week'

Michelle added: 'The reality of how alcoholism took over my entire life and those around me were devastating. Complete and utter lack of power or choice. The first picture being when I realised all I had to do was admit I needed help!

'Maybe things couldn't have been different for me, but if I can share and someone relates to anything on this video for YOU or your loved ones PLEASE… don’t ignore the signs, the ominous warnings and the consequences.

'Help is out there. I do believe the narrative has changed and by continuing to talk and share our experiences maybe someone like me won’t have a video like this.'

Michelle has shared her fitness transformation with fans on social media, which she credits to cutting out the booze.

In 2012, Michelle discovered she carried the BRCA-2 gene, putting her at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Michelle hasclaimed 'it would have been easier to die' than go through the ordeal she suffered in the height of her drug and alcohol addiction (pictured)

Michelle has shared her fitness transformation with fans on social media, which she credits to cutting out the booze

In 2012, Michelle discovered she carried the BRCA-2 gene, putting her at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer (Pictured with husband Hugh in June)

She bravely underwent a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction as well as a total hysterectomy but needed a second boob job later on when one of her implants ruptured.

This put her into an early menopause, which Michelle claimed had an impact on her marriage as she admitted in 2018 that she has not been the 'best wife'.

She also claimed 'it would have been easier to die' than go through the ordeal she suffered in the height of her drug and alcohol addiction.

Michelle then checked into rehab in April 2021 after being warned that she would die if she didn't change her ways.

Michelle Heaton opens up about the 'mental torture' of alcoholism (2024)

FAQs

Michelle Heaton opens up about the 'mental torture' of alcoholism? ›

Michelle Heaton has opened up about the 'mental torture' of alcoholism as she shared a video from before her sobriety. The Liberty X singer, 44, has been sober for three years and two months after she nearly died and was hospitalised in 2021 during her battle with drink and drugs.

What addiction did Michelle Heaton have? ›

Michelle Heaton has shared a devastating video showing her in the depths of her alcoholism. The former Liberty X singer, 44, has been sober for more than three years after being told by doctors in 2020 that she was “close to death” and her liver was failing.

How long is Michelle Heaton sober? ›

British singer Michelle Heaton has shared a confronting video highlighting the extent of her past alcohol addiction, as she marks more than three years sober.

What does Michelle Heaton do now? ›

In spring 2023, Heaton joined the presenting team of shopping channel Ideal World. In September 2023, Channel 4 announced Heaton as one of the contestants competing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Does Michelle Heaton have children? ›

I get on really well with her, so it's a bit of a family.” For Michelle, who has a daughter, Faith, 10, and an eight-year-old son, AJ, with Hugh, appearing on the show is something she could only have dreamt of three years ago when she was in the grip of a life-threatening drink and drug addiction.

Why did Michelle Heaton have a hysterectomy? ›

Former Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton underwent an elective double mastectomy in 2012 and a hysterectomy in 2014 after discovering that she is a carrier of the BRCA2 gene mutation, which gave her an 85 per cent chance of getting breast cancer and a 40 per cent chance of getting ovarian cancer.

Does Michelle Heaton take HRT? ›

"He is my absolute hero and been there for me over the last 15 years through thick and thin," she added. Michelle is now on HRT where her body receives testosterone via an implant, which she described as a "game-changer" for helping to alleviate the impact of the menopause.

Did Michelle Heaton have a double mastectomy? ›

She underwent an elective double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in 2012 before having a complete hysterectomy and oophorectomy to reduce her risk of developing ovarian cancer in 2015.

How long is Drew Barrymore been sober? ›

The actress has now been sober for around five years, after quitting drinking sometime in 2019. Last year she candidly discussed how hard of a year that proved to be for her during an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show: 'Yeah, that was a really, really hard year. It was actually the year I stopped drinking.

Has Michelle Heaton lost weight? ›

Michelle credits some of the loose skin to the 2st weight loss resulting from ditching the booze, exercising regularly and eating healthily. Despite Michelle initially being unhappy with it, her husband of nearly 14 years, personal trainer Hugh Hanley, 45, has never been negative about it.

Why did Michelle Heaton leave Celebrity SAS? ›

And Michelle and model Melinda Messenger, 52, struggled with the weight of the equipment during a brutal assault course, leading to them both being dumped from the show. She told The Mirror: 'I think that there should have been maybe a weight to what you carry ratio.

Is Patricia Heaton still a Republican? ›

Politics. Heaton's political views have been described as conservative, and until 2021, she was a registered Republican. In 2016, she voiced her disapproval of her party's then-presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Is Patricia Heaton still with her husband? ›

On the other hand, Heaton went through a self-discovery journey, that she described as a “Protestant wilderness” when she left the catholic church. In 1990, Heaton married the British actor David Hunt, and the couple remains married to this day.

Is Michelle Heaton still with her husband? ›

Michelle has been married to Irish businessman Hugh Hanley since 2010 and the pair share two children, daughter Faith, 12, and son AJ, 10.

Where dies Michelle Heaton live? ›

Michelle Heaton currently lives in Hertfordshire with her husband, Hugh Hanley, and two children. The Liberty X star is one of eleven celebrities taking part in series 15 of the ITV skating competition and made her debut on the show last weekend. Heaton was born in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England in July 1979.

Does Paul Heaton have children? ›

Personal life. Heaton lives in Manchester with his wife and three children.

Is Michelle Heaton still married? ›

How long have Michelle Heaton and Hugh Hanley been married? The couple met after Michelle's short-lived marriage with Andy Scott-Lee ended and married just two years later in July 2010. They live together with their kids in a spacious home in rural Hertfordshire.

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