Michelle Heaton says her daughter warns her not to look at the wine aisle

‘She’s my biggest security guard’: Michelle Heaton says her daughter warns her not to look at the wine aisle as she admits she became ‘dependent ‘ on booze after she hit the menopause

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Published: 11:29 EDT, 5 July 2022 | Updated: 11:49 EDT, 5 July 2022

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Michelle Heaton has revealed that her daughter Faith is her ‘biggest security guard’ and even warns her not to look at the wine aisle in the supermarket following her battle with alcoholism.

The former Liberty X singer, 42, is celebrating 14 months of sobriety after checking into The Priory in April last year in a bid to beat her alcohol addiction after being days away from death.

And in a new interview, Michelle opened up on her life as a recovering addict, while she also admitted that her early menopause caused her to become dependent on booze.

Guard: Michelle Heaton has revealed that her daughter Faith is her ‘biggest security guard’ and even warns her not to look at the wine aisle in the supermarket following her battle with alcoholism

While Michelle has spoken openly about how husband Hugh Hanley coped with her issues, Michelle reveled that her kids – Faith, 10, and AJ, seven – were initially kept in the dark about everything, but have since been a huge support for her.

Speaking to Bella magazine about her kids being aware, she said: ‘Not at the time, but they found out. When I came out of the Priory, Faith told her friends at school that when their mum’s come around, they’re not allowed to bring Prosecco any more, they have to bring coffee.

‘She’s my biggest security guard. When we go shopping, she’ll say “Mummy, don’t look” when we go past the wine aisle. She’s my best friend and she’s really proud of me. She’s been through a lot, as well, and I’m so proud of her for handling everything.’

Issues: The former Liberty X singer, 42, is celebrating 14 months of sobriety after checking into The Priory in April last year in a bid to beat her alcohol addiction after being days away from death

Michelle previously revealed she did not go for a day without alcohol for three years before she checked into rehab in April 2021.

She’s since kicked her drinking habit after following the 12 Step Programme and regularly attends AA meetings.

On whether she misses drinking, she explained: ‘No, I live a really happy, free life now. I spent so many years beating myself up. I didn’t know why I couldn’t stop. I’ve been able to grow since, so I do not miss it at all. I feel emotional when I talk about it, because it’s like night and day.’

Candid: in a new interview, Michelle opened up on her life as a recovering addict, while she also admitted that her early menopause caused her to become dependent on booze

Her rocks: While Michelle has spoken openly about how husband Hugh Hanley coped with her issues, Michelle reveled that her kids – Faith, 10, and AJ, seven – were initially kept in the dark about everything, but have since been a huge support for her

The TV personality went on to say she had ‘no idea’ she could live a ‘clean and sober’ life without alcohol, admitting she ‘never knew’ life could be so good without it.

At the height of her ordeal, Michelle was drinking two bottles of wine and a bottle of vodka a day, with things becoming so bad that she felt she ‘wanted to die’.

And while she admits she’s always been a ‘heavy drinker’, the mum-of-two told how she thinks her spiral into alcoholism was possibly sparked by her menopause, stating an ‘internal switch’ happened at the time and she became ‘dependent’ on alcohol.

She underwent a hysterectomy in 2012 and a double mastectomy in 2015, to reduce her risk of cancer, which resulted in her experiencing an early menopause.

Rock Bottom: The Liberty X singer previously admitted that she had ‘given up on life’ before seeking treatment at rehab last year (Pictured in April 2021)

Explaining to new magazine about what could have started things, she said: ‘My husband and friends close to me think that there definitely was some kind of internal switch when I hit the menopause in my mid-30s.

‘I was always a heavy drinker, I loved to party and absolutely the life and soul of every event, but at some point in the last five years I because completely dependent on alcohol and cocaine. I can’t say for for sure whether menopause and addiction are related because I can’t pinpoint the exact time that I became “an addict”.

After coming through her ordeal, Michelle is now celebrating 14 months of being sober.

Free: On whether she misses drinking, she explained: ‘No, I live a really happy, free life now. I spent so many years beating myself up. I didn’t know why I couldn’t stop

On how it feels, she said: ‘If anybody had told me 14 ago that I would be living a life without alcohol and cocaine, I never would have believed them. I feel so alive – I want to be alive! I feel so grateful that I was able to receive help before it was too late because there are a lot of people who don’t.’

Last month Michelle shared a series of shocking photos taken during the height of her alcohol addiction as she marked 14 months of sobriety.

The star has been candid about her battle with alcohol and has shared her sobriety journey with fans.

Taking to Instagram, the star shared a photo of herself with a red, puffy face and another with a bloated stomach as she reflected on how far she has come.

Heartbreaking: Last month Michelle shared a series of shocking photos taken during the height of her alcohol addiction as she marked 14 months of sobriety

Sharing a heartfelt message of hope, Michelle said she was plagued with ‘fear’ and ‘sadness’ when she was drinking but now has ‘a desire to live’.

She wrote: ‘I continue to share my story because by sharing I might just help the still suffering addict!

‘I’m just over 14 months, looking back at this person, I see fear, sadness, confusion, pain, and as that month went on I see hope, light, fight, and a desire to live.

‘Wether you are the addict or a loved one of the addict, there is hope! If I can do it so can you!

Honest: The star has been candid about her battle with alcohol and has shared her sobriety journey with fans

‘I follow a 12 step program, regularly attend my meetings and help others to achieve sobriety like I have.

‘I have a life now I could never have imagined, a life without fear!

‘Drop a message of your journey ! Let’s all help each other.’

Emotional: Sharing a heartfelt message of hope, Michelle said she was plagued with ‘fear’ and ‘sadness’ when she was drinking but now has ‘a desire to live’