A BARNSLEY mum whose daughter died due to alcohol addiction last year is warning we face an ‘addiction epidemic’ - and has called on authorities to do more to support those who are in need.

Elizabeth Marie Harris, from Redbrook, died at Barnsley Hospital in the early hours of August 3, 2024 at the age of 35.

She had been suffering with an alcohol addiction for a number of years and her mum, 65-year-old Gillian, says it was down to her low self-esteem.

Gillian remembers vividly the day her daughter died.

She told the Chronicle: “On August 2, just after 8pm, I was taken to the family room where the consultant imparted the dreadful news that Liz could no longer survive.

“He said ‘I know that this is a bombshell and that you don’t know me from Adam.

“No parent should have to be sat in this room listening to this should they, it’s not right.

“Alcoholism is a disease like any other’.

“Liz and I were alone for the final time.

“I gave her loads of kisses, held her hand and stroked the back of her neck which I knew she loved.

“I watched Liz take her last breath as she passed peacefully in the early hours of August 3 at the tender age of 35.”

Gillian says that her daughter would go out of her way for anyone in need - but she admits she wasn’t ‘Miss Perfect’.

“Liz was a beautiful, intelligent, warm-hearted, caring young woman,” she added.

“She would go out of her way to help people in any way she could.

“She was also an extremely sensitive person.

“On the other hand, Liz was no Miss Perfect, in fact far from it.

“She thought she was invincible and started drinking alcohol from an early age - in her teens.”

Liz, who had lived with her mum for most of her life, began drinking due to her low self-esteem - and Gillian says it’s becoming more and more prevalent, and people need to ‘wake up’ to the rising issue.

Gillian added: “Liz did her best to hide the severity of her addiction, even from me, over her final two years.

“There were, however, only so many places she could hide her empties.

“The cause of Liz’s addiction included low self-esteem, however other influences in today’s society may be a result of climate change, war, the cost of living, being unable to afford a mortgage.

“People become anxious and turn to alternative comfort zones and this, as with Liz, is when coping strategies may become addictions.

“Families increasingly worry about what will become of their own children and grandchildren.

“Society is becoming increasingly plagued by other addictions including drugs, alcohol and food related.

“Society needs to be afraid and wake up to this.

“They are all epidemics and will not only cost lives but will also be a cost to the NHS.”

Gillian is now pleading with the relevant authorities to do more to support those with addictions in the hopes that no one has to suffer the same fate as her daughter.

She added: “The authorities in health, education and welfare must have a conversation otherwise the majority of people going into hospitals will be a consequence of these addiction which, perhaps could have been prevented or lessened by education and life skills.

“The powers that be need to look at addictions.

“I was lucky enough to speak with health professionals during a meeting following Liz’s death and the nurse informed me that ‘positive things are happening slowly’.

“Perhaps they should happen more quickly.”

Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis said he will continue to support Gillian.

“Alcoholism is a tragic illness that ruins lives - we should offer compassion and support to those affected.

“The government has allocated an additional £267m to local authorities to improve the capacity and quality of alcohol and drug treatment services, and a further £105m of funding to improve recovery, housing and employment outcomes for those recovering from alcohol addiction.”

There are a number of services available for people in Barnsley who are struggling with addiction.

Barnsley Recovery Steps is the council’s commissioned service which offers free and confidential support to people who want to change their relationship with alcohol or drugs.

They can be contacted on 779066.

DrinkCoach is an online alcohol intervention tool designed to support people who want to cut down their alcohol intake. A link can be found on the council’s website.

There are also support groups available to residents.

Alcoholics Anonymous - 08009177650; Smart Recovery 03300536022 and Narcotics Anonymous 030090991212.

Support is also available on the NHS website.