Ali

I live in Camden in a house for alcoholics who are recovering. I've been there for a few months. I've been dry for a year. It's fine as long as I keep myself busy.

The best place I've lived is Weston Super Mare, in a rehab. I woke up once I stopped drinking and saw things how they really were. It felt like waking up for the first time.

My favourite place in the world? I haven't been there yet! I'd like to say Aberdeen, because that's where my family's from.

The best advice I've ever had is to take one day at a time. Lots of people have told me that. Probably the first person to tell me was a counsellor.

My earliest memory is my mum doing the hoovering and telling me not to stand on the floor - so I was jumping from furniture to furniture.

My kids make me happy - seeing my daughter smiling. She's 16. Making other people happy makes me happy. Robbie Williams 'Angel' came onto the radio when I was in jail. It was the last time I saw my kids for over ten years. That song broke my heart then and when I hear it now I think back and it breaks my heart again.

How do I get back my own back? I don't hold resentments any more.

I get the Catholic religion. It means peace, it means happiness. It means even though you’re dead your spirit's still here. I can't look up and see God, but I can see my mum with God. That's what I pray to.

The last time I cried was last night. I was speaking to my youngest daughter. My mum's budgie had died (my mum died three years ago). My daughter was crying and I cried.

My biggest birthday was my daughter's 16th. I went up to Aberdeen, bought her some presents and had a fantastic weekend.

I can identify with William Wallace - he fought for what he believed in and he lived for what he believed.

The first thing I notice about someone is how they present themselves to me - how they look at me, how they react.

My biggest fear is drinking ever again - going back on the street and going back to where I used to be - I'm never going down that road again. That's what keeps me sober today, knowing that if I did start drinking I'd be going back.

What makes me happy is waking up every day, with no worries. Well, I've got worries, but they're only little ones!

I'm proud of getting sober and staying sober. Starting my life over again instead of giving up. Every day I could give up, but I'm proud of myself for not.

My bad habits? Answering without thinking! Even speaking without thinking. Reacting without thinking first.

Ignorant people make me angry. People who are ignorant about other people, who take everything that they've got for granted.

If I told you what I know that not many other people know, then a lot of other people would know.

I hope other people would describe me as happy, caring and thoughtful. But I daresay if you ask them they would tell you differently.

You should always carry money, your phone, your sense of humour and awareness with you.

Meeting my youngest daughter again last year - after more than ten years - was the happiest moment of my life.