I one hundred per cent thought I was going to die. I don't recognise myself from those pics

LAW GRADUATE, 46, TELLS HOW SHE TURNED HER LIFE AROUND AFTER SPIRALLING INTO ALCOHOL ADDICTION

- By SOPHIE DOUGHTY

Emma has been completely sober for three years

IN the darkest days of her addiction, Emma Ward was sure she was drinking herself to death - yet felt powerless to stop.

What started as a nightly drink to numb the grief of losing her parents quickly spiralled into a crippling habit that would see the law graduate lose her home, her family and even her hair as the drink took a devastating toll on her mind and body.

But from somewhere the mum found the strength to seek help and has spent the last three years rebuilding her life.

And today as she shares her remarkable story Emma has bravely shared shocking photos of herself at the height of her addition in a bid to show others you can come back from the brink.

The 46-year-old said: "I one hundred per cent thought I was going to die. I don't recognise myself in those pictures and I was walking the streets looking like that.

"I want to smash the stigma around addiction. My idea of an alcoholic used to be someone on a park bench drinking out of a paper bag but my alcoholism took me down really, really quickly. I was a successful woman, I was very much independent I didn't think it could happen to someone like me."

Emma, who has a degree in law, had a successful career in the school finance department at Sunderland City Council and a home she loved before her life was turned upside down.

When her dad became ill she was forced to leave her job to care for him, and when he died, seven years ago, she began using drink to cope.

"When I was 31 my mam passed away. I didn't really grieve for her because I was too busy looking after my dad.