She was a happy-go-lucky child – until she was 21 that is, when she started using drugs. Then, after kicking the habit, she began to drink heavily.

In today's Courier, Joanne's mum recounts the shocking story of her daughter's descent into a life of squalor and begging.

A life during which, while under the influence of up to six bottles of sherry a day, she would throw her mother's love back in her face despite the numerous attempts to help her. It was the drink talking, of course.

This is a story that does not have a happy ending. Joanne's body finally gave up its fight against her destructive lifestyle. She was just 31.

The only consolation was that in her final weeks alive she and her mother were reconciled.

Even with her last words Joanne managed to whisper the words "love you".
Susan Horsfall's heart-wrenching description of the pain she and her daughter went through is all the more poignant given that her son Mark died when he was just 26.

Her motivation for telling her story is as selfless as the love she showed her daughter.

She simply feels she needs to let others know the far reaching effects alcohol can have.

Even though it cannot take away the pain and hurt she must be feeling, we feel she has done that admirably.