Christine Phillips (68), of Alexander Place, fell into a battle with drink after her 18-year-old daughter, Josie ,was killed in a blaze at their Inverkeithing home 10 years ago.

After suffering three seizures that made her consider her own mortality, Christine finally decided to make changes in her life and is now proudly celebrating five years alcohol-free.

“It was terrible, I lost everything I had in that fire,” she told the Press. “I couldn’t cope. I thought alcohol was my saviour and it wasn’t.

“I just felt it helped for a little while but it was terrible. I was drinking every day from the minute I got up. I’d go straight to the shops and buy wine, spirits, anything really. As it went on it got worse and worse. I had three seizures over a period of time and after the third one I said that was it, no more. I realised that my son, Michael, would have lost me if I kept going so I made a decision to stop.

“I went on a keep fit regime, just doing things like having a dance, going for a lot of walks and eating better. I did it all by myself and it was hard but now I can look at a drink and it’s fine, though I know I’ll never even have a sherry again.

“Now I feel like I am a different person. Michael says he’s so proud that I’ve changed my life around and other people say I’m like a different person too. I used to be around 24 stone and I’ve lost around 10 or 11.” Last December marked the 10-year anniversary of Josie’s death but this Spring also marks an important milestone for Christine as she reaches five years free from the hold alcohol used to have over her.

“I wanted to say something because it’s coming up to five years now that I’ve not had a drink,” she said. “It was between Easter and summer time five years ago that I stopped and I’ll never go back to it. It’s just to let others know that there is life after losing your child. It’s tough to handle knowing that they’re gone before you but you have to be patient with yourself.

“You have to let it sink in. Don’t try to do everything all at once, take one day at a time and be patient with yourself. Michael is the one that’s helped me and I go to the doctors every month. There was a time I wouldn’t listen to anyone but I do now.

“It’s still hard at times but I am proud of how I have come on instead of being embarrassed.”