Selasa, 19 Juni 2012

Alcoholism: GAreth Anderson, 22 dies from binge-drinking three years after transplant rejection

Alcoholism: GAreth Anderson, 22 dies from binge-drinking three years after transplant rejection

  • Gareth Anderson had vowed to give up alcohol in 2010 saying 'I don't want to end my life this early'
  • He began drinking again within six months and was charged with attacking his mother
  • Gareth was in and out of court during 2011 on different charges and was imprisoned for three months for assaulting a police officer
  • He died two weeks ago surrounded by his family

By Claire Bates

PUBLISHED: 09:45 EST, 19 June 2012 | UPDATED: 12:06 EST, 19 June 2012

A binge-drinking young man has lost the fight against liver failure at the age of 22 after he refused to give up alcohol.

Gareth Anderson is thought to be one of the youngest victims of chronic alcohol abuse in the UK.

He first suffered liver failure when he was 19 but was rejected for a liver transplant because he was still drinking.

Gareth Anderson, pictured aged 19 in 2009, at the Ulster Hospital in Belfast. He tried and failed to give up alcohol

Gareth Anderson, pictured aged 19 in 2009, at the Ulster Hospital in Belfast. He tried and failed to give up alcohol, which ultimately killed him

Mr Anderson died in hospital surrounded by his family earlier this month after spurning several attempts to beat his addiction.

The young man’s heartbroken father Brian Anderson, a former police officer, said the loss of his son has been extremely traumatic.

'We’re devastated, really and truthfully,' Mr Anderson said.

'The whole family is upset. My son was just 22-years-old and he died of liver failure. My head is wrecked at the moment, to be honest.'

Brian Anderson had spoken in the past of his hope that Gareth could turn things around and get back to full health, but his son's addiction proved fatal.

Gareth, from Northern Ireland - made headlines in August 2009 when, aged 19, he was refused a place on the liver transplant list because he had not been free of alcohol for six months.

At one stage his desire for drink was so great he left his bed in the Ulster Hospital and walked to the nearby Moat Inn to try and get a pint of beer. His father said the act had been a 'cry for help'. 

Gareth could not be considered for organ transplant because he was unable to remain alcohol-free for six months

Gareth, pictured in hospital in 2009, could not be considered for organ transplant because he was unable to remain alcohol-free for six months

Gareth recovered after being moved from the Ulster Hospital to the liver unit at King’s College Hospital in London, where the late Northern Ireland football star George Best underwent a controversial liver transplant.

While in London, a remorseful Gareth vowed to his family: 'I’ll never touch another drink for the rest of my life.

'This is terrifying, I just want to get better and go home.

'I don’t want to end my life this early. I’m going to keep on fighting and hope for the best.'

However, in January 2010 Gareth found himself back in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, for treatment when his kidneys failed.

Gareth appeared to be turning his life around and worked at this father’s pet shop in Newtownards, but within six months, he was back drinking alcohol and even attempted to take his own life.

He ended up in a Young Offenders Centre, charged with beating up and thr eatening to kill his mother Vivienne, attacking his brother Lawrence, and for possessing drugs.

He was in and out of court during 2011 on different charges, including assaulting a police officer - for which he was imprisoned for three months.

After getting out of jail he was back binge drinking and died two weeks ago surrounded by family.

For support and more information about alcohol abuse visit www.alcoholconcern.org.uk or phone 0800 9178282

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

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Alcoholism is an illness, it's easy to criticise if you can drink without the overwhelming urge to continue. Fair enough if you had a strong willpower you could probably overcome it, but I guess many of the people showing little compassion, may not have the strength of personality if they had the same urge. Alcohol is a legal drug that is advertised everywhere you look. The government are happy to charge extortionate tax on it to finance the health service. This drug is highly addictive to a small percentage of the population. These unfortunates should be cared for.

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Very sad but then who would be there to decide which patient who has given up alcohol should forfeit their place in the queue for life. If this had been tobacco he would have been hailed a martry, instead he is written off asa selfish fool. So sad for all those who loved him. Doubt this incident will make one iota of difference to the drunks laying on our pavements after a glorious binge.

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I hope people aren't too harsh, yes it was his choice, but after watching my darling dad die in the same way I wouldnt judge. my dad was a lovely man, but also weak with many demons, fortunately for us he was never violent, you just cannot help some people,and they cannot help themselves. - dondons, Romford Uk, 19/6/2012 9:05 +++++++++++++++++++ That just made me cry. My mother died for the same reasons and it's heartbreaking. RIP young man. xx

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How can some of you people say that you have no sympathy? He was 22 for heaven's sake. Have some sympathy even if its not for what he did but the life and potential that is lost and that he's a person. No man deserves to die that young. His poor family.

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This is what you get when it is considered not to be a great night out unless you have been sick and cant remember a thing the next day the drinking culture in the UK is out of control, RIP young man

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I just hope he never smoked as he would have died years earlier...

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Addiction + Ignorance = The Above

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I've tried very hard to be sympathetic to this young man but I just can't find it in me and I'm glad he wasn't offered a transplant.

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Well what I say it's all his fault. I'm sure he knew the consequences were for binge drinking to the extreme. He chose his path and now he's paid the ultimate price which cost him his life.

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So sad. That's all I can say.

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