There was a point in Jack Mackey's life where he would drink four litres of cider before going to work just to get through the day.

It started off being a social activity but soon became a "crutch" that he would "lean on when he was anxious".

At 21, he was rushed to hospital after having a seizure. This was when he discovered he had become dependent on alcohol.

He was drinking up to 10 litres of cider a day at the time.

Fast forward to now and the 30-year-old is three years sober and has put his experience of accepting his addiction and working towards recovery in a new book.

Jack, a musician from Tunbridge Wells, said: "My mental health has always been bad, ever since I can remember. I’ve had intrusive thoughts and anxiety.

“I used alcohol as my crutch – I would lean on it when I was anxious.

"It also comes with the territory when you do gigs. Back then drink was just always there.

"From then I gradually started drinking, and it went from being an occasional thing to every single day.”

Alongside his work in music, Jack would pick up shifts at his local Tesco in Southborough.

"It got to a point where I started to drink about four litres of cider before going in," he admitted. "My manager at the time was amazing and really supported me.

"I called them up one day in tears saying I couldn’t come in because of my alcohol addiction. I had never admitted that before.

"Sadly it became impossible for me to work."

Jack recalls the moment back in July 2014 when he knew his relationship with alcohol had turned serious.

“This one time, I didn’t sleep all night, and in the morning I had a seizure," he said. "By this point I was drinking up to 10 litres of cider a day.

“My gran had to take me to hospital, and when we got there they got me on an IV bag full of nutrients.

“That's when I found out I was dependent on alcohol – it was a bit of a shock.”

Jack was just 21-years-old at the time and from then on, it was constant trips to Pembury Hospital, with the slow and painful process of alcohol withdrawal.

Addicts can experience a range of symptoms, including a severe form called 'Delirium Tremens' (DTs).

This causes uncontrollable shaking, increased heart rate, vomiting and hallucinations.

"People don’t understand the fact that it is mentally and physically taxing everyday," Jack explained. "To even breathe or wake up is just exhausting.

"You get the shakes, you’re constantly being sick.

"I felt like I was on death's door every single day. I would say to my mum that I just wanted it to end.

"During my time at hospital, I suffered from hallucinations for four days. It was a terrifying to me, I thought I had lost my mind.

"I saw hundreds of ‘ghosts’ – one actually sat by my bed and held my hand."

During lockdown, he was convinced by friend and fellow musician Isaac Holman, from Soft Play (formerly known as Slaves), to write down his experience with addiction.

Within eight months, Jack wrote 'Delirum', a diary-style book which describes his struggles with relapsing, getting help, withdrawal, rehab and recovery.

Find out more about the Kenward Trust here.

For information on and help with addiction, click here.

It has been released this week and is available to buy.

After spending time at a Kenward Trust, a rehab centre in Yalding, Jack is now more than three years sober.

He praises his mum, Sue Adams and gran, Jennie Goossens for helping him, as well as the constant support from his sister Jessica Bateman and brother Ben Adams.

"The doctors said I was addicted to a certain amount of alcohol, and for me to function, I had to drink that much everyday to live," he added.

"They told my mum that she would have to buy me alcohol, to allow me to safely cut down day by day.

"The news of her having to do that was heartbreaking.

"She’s an incredible woman and I wouldn’t be here without her at all.

"I’m very lucky to have a support network – so many people don’t, but need to know that they are not alone and that you can get through it."