Holly Dyson, a 28-year-old from Southport, is set to take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon this Sunday, marking a remarkable turnaround from a life consumed by alcohol dependency. Just three years ago, doctors told her she would die if she continued drinking, but now she is determined to prove her resilience and raise money for Alcohol Change UK, a charity dedicated to reducing alcohol harm.
From Binge-Drinking to Liver Disease
Holly's struggle with alcohol began during her university years, where she developed a habit of binge-drinking. She would consume up to two litres of gin daily, often starting her mornings with a pint. As she entered her mid-20s, her dependency escalated rapidly, shifting from casual evening prosecco with family to experiencing severe physical withdrawals without alcohol.
She described living in constant fear, hiding wine in smaller bottles in her bag when going out. Holly said, "If I was going out, I'd have to take a bottle of wine and I would put it into three smaller bottles so I could hide them in a bag and I was just living in fear every single day."
A Dire Warning from Doctors
The consequences of her drinking became dire when Holly developed liver disease, leading to multiple hospitalisations. On one occasion, after vomiting blood, doctors delivered a stark ultimatum. She recalled, "I'd been vomiting blood and all sorts, and they said to me there, you are going to die in six months if you carry on like this. I truly, wholeheartedly was going to die. I was told I was going to die. I believed it and I had no hope."
Even this warning did not immediately stop her; Holly admitted she had accepted her fate, feeling powerless to change. However, she eventually found the strength to overcome her addiction, embarking on a path to recovery that has transformed her life.
Finding Purpose in Recovery
Today, Holly works as a support worker for Change Grow Live, where she leads walking groups and uses her personal experience to help others and combat stigmas associated with alcohol addiction. She emphasised the barriers stereotypes create, stating, "I was a young girl when I got trapped in that cycle and I think stereotypes can be a barrier to people seeking and getting help. Equally, I don't think alcohol addiction is spoken about enough. I think there's so much stigma and stereotypes attached to it and the stigma's awful."
By participating in the half marathon, Holly aims to showcase that recovery is achievable and to inspire others facing similar battles. Her journey from spending days in bed drinking to regaining full fitness serves as a powerful testament to human resilience and the possibility of change.
