Michelle Heaton opens up about the ‘mental torture’ of alcoholism as she shares a video from before her sobriety where she was left to open her birthday presents alone

Michelle Heaton has spoken candidly about the ‘mental torture’ of alcoholism, sharing a video from before her sobriety.

The 44-year-old Liberty X singer has been sober for three years and two months after nearly dying and being hospitalized in 2021 due to her battle with alcohol and drugs.

Michelle posted a message on Instagram on Thursday, Alcohol Awareness Week, saying it was with “a heavy heart” that she wanted to share a video from her 41st birthday, when she was in the midst of her battle with addiction.

The clip sees Michelle telling the camera how she was left alone on the floor to open her birthday presents at 4pm after falling asleep, still in her clothes and makeup.

“The kids are gone and I’m sitting here all alone opening my own presents,” mother of two Michelle said in the clip. “Oh my god, I feel terrible.”

The 44-year-old Liberty X singer has been sober for three years and two months after nearly dying and being hospitalized in 2021 due to her battle with alcohol and drugs

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

In the video, which features Michelle surrounded by presents and a bottle of wine, she says: ‘I’m opening my cards and presents with no one. I honestly think I’m going to cry.

‘I fell asleep at 3:30 with my clothes and makeup on, I think I’m sick. I think I’m sick, I can’t do it today. I might go back to bed.

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

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

“I share this video with a heavy heart,” Michelle wrote in the post. “This week is Alcohol Awareness Week.

‘So I was looking back at the last few years of my mental torture and how broken I was. I came across this video.

‘I’ve been sober for 3 years and 2 months I don’t recognize this person. This was my 41st birthday, I’m turning 45 in 2 weeks… I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t surrendered or accepted that I was an alcoholic!’

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

Michelle posted the video on Instagram on Thursday, as part of Alcohol Awareness Week, in which she said it was with a “heavy heart” that she had to share a video of her 41st birthday, when she was in the midst of her addiction.

In the clip, Michelle can be seen talking to the camera about how she was left alone on the floor to open her birthday presents at 4pm after falling asleep, still in her clothes and makeup.

In the video, which features Michelle surrounded by presents and a bottle of wine, she says: ‘I’m opening my cards and presents without anyone. I think I’m going to cry’

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

‘Maybe it couldn’t have been any other way for me, but if I may share something in this video and someone recognizes themselves in it for YOU or your loved ones, please don’t ignore the signs, the ominous warnings and the consequences.

“Help is here. I believe the story has changed and by continuing to talk and share our experiences, maybe someone like me won’t have a video like this.”

Michelle has been sharing her fitness transformation with fans on social media, which she credits to quitting drinking.

In 2012, Michelle discovered that she carried the BRCA-2 gene, which put her at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

“I share this video with a heavy heart,” Michelle wrote in the post. “This week is Alcohol Awareness Week.”

Michelle has been sharing her fitness transformation with fans on social media, which she attributes to quitting drinking

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

She bravely underwent a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction, as well as a total hysterectomy, but later required a second breast augmentation when one of her implants ruptured.

This caused her to go into early menopause, which Michelle said had an impact on her marriage. In 2018, she admitted she wasn’t the “best wife.”

She also claimed that “it would have been easier to die” than to endure the ordeals she went through at the height of her drug and alcohol addiction.

Michelle checked into rehab in April 2021 after being warned she would die if she didn’t turn her life around.