A DISTRAUGHT husband who lost his wife to the ravages of alcohol abuse today spoke of the agony his family had gone through in a bid to help others. Michael Swarbrick (pictured) is just beginning to come to terms with the fact his wife, Susan, aged only 49, died of drink-related illness on January 4. They had been married 28 years, but it was not until a few years into the marriage that the problem became apparent -- and he doesn't know what caused it. Now he wants to pass on the knowledge he has gained over that time in the hope he can persuade others in a similar situation to get help, either for themselves or someone close to them. VIVIEN MASON reports.

MICHAEL Swarbrick is determined to tell the story of how his wife was destroyed by drink -- no matter how painful it is.

"Susan was one of those people who was caring and kind and had a heart of gold. But she would never accept that she was an alcoholic even when the doctors only gave her a few months to live, "said Michael, who runs the barber's shop in Whittingham Road, Longridge.

"With alcoholics there is always an excuse -- 'I need a drink because of this, or that or the other...' It is never their fault. It is something I honestly believe many victims are born with, making acceptance of the condition harder."

Susan's funeral service at Hill Chapel, Goosnargh, was packed with mourners and a special tribute to her was read by her brother, Paul, who made no secret of the pain everyone, including Susan, suffered over the past 25 years.

Michael said that the total despair he and the couple's daughter, Becky, felt in witnessing Susan's physical and mental deterioration was almost unbearable.

"It is so hard when someone you love and know so well does something like this to themselves, but won't accept any help."

"In desperation, I moved out of the house about 12 months ago hoping she would be able to see what the illness was doing to her as well as me, but it did no good," said Michael, who continued to look after her as well as he could. "You imagine alcoholics to be drunks, dressed in rags who stagger about the streets clutching a bottle in a carrier bag, before falling into the gutter and hitting rock bottom.

"From there the only was is upwards, but Susan's rock bottom was death. She was in denial and no one could do anything about it, not even her family," said Michael.

Michael, who is well known in the town and surrounding area for his charity work and marathon running, said a lifeline for both himself and Becky came when he contacted Alining, a charity devoted to the relatives of alcohol victims.

"They helped me a lot and showed me how widespread the illness is. It affects all walks of life, all ages and races, but at the same time it is hidden."

A spokesperson for Alcoholics' Anonymous said that some alcoholics do refuse to admit they are sufferers, though for various reasons.

He said: "I can only speak of my own case where I would not initially admit to being an alcoholic because I did not want labelling." Nigel Pearson for the Community Alcohol Service, in Burnley, said one in ten adults are affected by alcohol abuse at some time in their lives and they in turn affect an average of five other people.

He said quite often denial was a type of self-protection. "It is their own defence mechanism which they use to prop up their dwindling self esteem." They look at the stereotypical drunk and, because most alcoholics do not fit into that image, convince themselves that they don't have a problem."

"Unfortunately unless the condition is not recognised and treated somehow, it will almost always result in death," he said.

Mr Pearson added that in England and Wales 33,000 deaths are associated to alcoholism each year. He also said the nation spends around £31billion each year on alcohol.

Michael's knowledge of the illness and the way it affects everyone around the victim has been a long and painful learning curve. But he is willing to try and offer help to others.

"If anyone wants to ring me in confidence they can do. Sometimes just talking helps," he said.

Michael can be reached on 01772 786900.