Abi Feltham, 37, says her lowest ebb was leaving her ex-boyfriend’s new home in New York, US – after three months of arguments, fuelled by booze.
She says alcoholism turned her into an “argumentative, erratic” girlfriend, who only cared about where her next drink was coming from.
In April 2020, Abi got sober after moving into her parents’ house in Berkshire, during the covid lockdown – and has been alcohol-free ever since.
In April 2020, Abi chose to become sober. (Image: SWNS)
Now, she’s in a “harmonious, healthy” relationship with her new partner, personal trainer Stefan Winder, 31 – but says she couldn’t have done it if she wasn’t sober.
Abi, a content creator, from Richmond, London, said: “I know exactly how Tommy Fury feels – when you’re drinking to a point you can’t control it; to a point where, once you start, you can’t stop.
“Being an active alcoholic in a relationship is very difficult – being in a relationship with an alcoholic is impossible.
“All my relationships were based around alcohol – it was carnage.
“When you have a drinking problem, it causes unpredictability in your relationships – so they were all very rocky.”
Abi says she now has a healthy relationship. (Image: SWNS)
Abi’s addiction to alcohol began with drinking cider as a teen, in parks with her friends, to cope with her father’s death when she was three.
It quickly spiralled into daily drinking from the age of 14, and worsened over the next 18 years.
At her worst, she was drinking two 700ml bottles of whisky and beers a day – and the addiction had a major impact on her relationships.
“I was always hungover, or on the way to the next hangover,” she said.
“I became irrational, argumentative – it’s very difficult to live harmoniously in a relationship because you’re so erratic – you’re drunk.
Abi began drinking as a teenager. (Image: SWNS)
“I just wasn’t capable of having relationships.”
Abi likened her previous relationships to that of Tommy Fury and fellow Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague.
On Wednesday [January 16], Tommy spoke out about the breakdown of his relationship with Molly-Mae to Men’s Health – and blamed it on his “problem with alcohol”.
He told title: “We broke up because I had a problem with alcohol and I couldn’t be the partner I wanted to be anymore.
“It kills me to say it, but I couldn’t.
“I loved a pint of beer, loved to drink.”
Abi says Tommy’s admission reminded her of her previous relationships – particularly the last one she had before getting sober.
In March 2018, Abi and her then-partner moved to New York for his work.
Feeling alone, on the other side of the world, and with nothing to occupy her time, she says she found solace in her partner’s liquor cabinet.
While her partner would be working, she’d be at home drinking – and ready for an argument as soon as he’d get home.
“He’d come home from a long day of work, stone cold sober,” she said.
“I’d be there, screaming and shouting at him, being a mess, while he’d want to relax.”
The relationship only lasted a further three months after the move.
Two years later, Abi got sober – and met her current partner, Stefan, in 2022.
She says her current relationship is peaceful and harmonious – because she no longer spends time worrying about her addiction.
“I wouldn’t have been able to maintain the relationship I have now if I was drinking,” Abi said.
“We take care of each other, we don’t ever want to hurt each other.
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“I couldn’t really care for another person when I was drinking – this is just the opposite.
“Now, I have the power to look after my partner – and we’re able to communicate.
“We’re level-headed, we have clarity, and we’re able to have honest and respectful conversations.”