Amy Winehouse's mother Janis shares devastating truth behind the star's addiction 15 years after her death
Warning: This article contains discussion of drug addiction which some readers may find distressing.
Amy Winehouse's mum, Janis Winehouse, has opened up about the heartbreaking reality behind the late singer's struggles with addiction, 15 years after her death.
The Back To Black music legend died on 23 July 2011 after being found at her home in Camden, London.
An inquest later ruled that she died from accidental alcohol poisoning, with her blood alcohol level more than five times the legal drink-driving limit. She was just 27 years old.
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Reflecting on the pressures that came with Amy's extraordinary success, Janis told The i Paper: "She was a victim of her own success. She didn't want it, but it just followed her. And she'd be like, 'Who, me?'"
The 72-year-old also shared what she believes was at the heart of Amy's addiction.
"She didn't have confidence. Hence the alcohol," she explained. "I think it's the same with many, many addicts with alcohol. The alcohol takes away the pain. And that is a horrible thing with addiction."
Janis went on to explain why addiction is so difficult to overcome.
"Once you're addicted, you're addicted. The only boss is the addiction. People say, 'Oh, no, you just stop doing such and such.' They don't get it. You can't stop because your body is saying I need it."
Fifteen years on from losing her daughter, Janis said she's learned to keep moving forward.
"I'm just getting on with it because that's what I do. I get on with life. I live it."
Earlier this month, Amy's family hosted a tribute event at Camden Market, where fans gathered to remember the singer and celebrate her legacy.
Following Amy's death, her loved ones founded the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which supports vulnerable young people through resilience programmes in schools, music therapy for children and recovery initiatives including Amy's Place, a supported home for young women overcoming addiction.
Amy's stepmother, Jane Winehouse, said the late singer would have been proud of the women supported by the charity.
"It's very true to her," Jane told The i Paper. "Everyone here is so real. To be here, to engage properly in recovery, you have to get real. You quickly connect to people on quite a visceral level that you don't necessarily connect with people in everyday life."
Jane also said the foundation has helped the family find purpose after such a devastating loss.
"I think as a family, we just didn't want to spend the rest of our lives in misery, you know," she said. "We wanted to make something really positive come out of something that was so tragic."
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Topics: Music, Celebrity, UK News, Amy Winehouse, Mental Health
Rhiannon Ingle