• 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 threatening 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

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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

In life we all have choices...this was his....he knew the risks.

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He was only young, and he tried so hard to give up drink. But he was still refused a transplant, and sometimes afterwards the urge was sometimes too strong for a frightened, unhappy young man to bear. As it can so often be with all of us who have addictions, whether to alcohol, food, coffee . . .those who said they are relieved he didn't get a transplant because he didn't

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The way things are going in "Austerity UK", he is probably better off. There is just years of misery left for those of us remaining in this ruined Nation.

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Gutted for him and his family - especially because of his age but also of the aftermath - ive binge drunk, and to be fair sometimes still do - sometimes there is underlying reasons and sometimes not - i drank to curb my depression and extreme anxiety provoking situations - this went on for years and my mental health was under scrutiny too as i had attempted suicide which as a result damaged my liver anyway - after many years and in the end, i was diagnosed with Bipolar1/2 - my point is whilst it is the choice of the person i know from experience that sometimes there is something else going on with your life - i am lucky in the respect that the NHS team where i live are superb as is my GP, but true alcoholism really is an illness - i may get slated for saying that but the physical needs of the body can affect your thinking and all sorts happen - of course you get folk who lay about all day playing computer games, drinking etc - thats there choice - all very sad! - my medication saved me

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We should raise the age limit to 21 at least, this in itself would stop much of the mayhem on our streets. People in this country appear unable to drink alcohol in a responsible manner, the choice should be taken from them. If it means draconian measures then so be it. You do not see appalling behaviour on American streets.

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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.

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If this was any other DRUG there would be outrage....but alcohol does not seem to be taken seriously

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When you are young you think you are invincible - so sad so very sad

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Alcohol should be banned full stop,liver disease, domestic violence, violence every weekend in town centres,it is a disgusting poison that blights so many lives, but unfortunately it will never happen because it brings the goverment so much money in taxes, the stuff is worse than smack, at least with smack you dont get smackheads fighting and assaulting each every friday night, criippling the nhs with alcohol related injuries.

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My deepest, deepest sympathy to Gareth's family....please stay strong & look after each other....it's a horrible thing to see someone you love so much addicted & they won't help themselves.... May you find peace xxx

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