And he's now able to face the challenges of his mother's brain tumour and other family responsibilities without relying on drink to see him through.

Kelliher tells the Democrat And Chronicle: "It's been a struggle for many years. Everyone tells me the first year is the most difficult, when you've been an alcoholic most of your life. For me it was a choice when I gave up the booze. I didn't have to be that guy who needs a depressant to cope with life."

He adds: "Being sober, I could hold it together when I saw my mom that first day, in a kind of vegetative state. My brother was losing it and I just told myself, 'I've got to stay strong.'