HELPS BOOZE & DRUGS FIGHT I wouldn’t be able to survive without my AA meetings

addiction, poverty, racism, let’s just keep going forward.

“I feel that Australia and America might be going back a little bit and we need to make sure that this nation keeps going forward.” And she thinks Prince Harry and William highlighting mental health has been key. She said: “What’s important is it is not embarrassing any more and it’s not looked down upon to seek help.

“The The main thing, whether it is mental health or addiction,ad is just that people talk about it.

“People lik like Prince William and Prince Harry have definitely helped with that.

Experiences

“Addiction and mental healthhe go hand in hand but it’s stillst a big stepping stone to acceptac addiction in the same wayw as mental health. “It is about people talking abouta their experiences so otherso don’t get judged as much.”m She believes that the Duchess of C Cambridge being patron of Acti Action On Addiction will really help the cause. An And Davina also thinks the online community has helped people open up about their issues. She said: “I’ve recently done a programme on technology which lots of people say is the worst thing ever but it’s also a place where people can find a tribe and a home and their own little community.

“Whether it be other addicts, or people in the LGBT community or people with mental health issues.”

She said: “There is no such thing as a hopeless anybody. People may look at someone on the street and think they are beyond help but no one is.

“I have seen people who you really would cross the street to avoid and five years forward they are a happily married upstanding pillar of the community. “There is no such thing as a lost cause.” Since overcoming her own demons, Davina – who is the face of a cosmetics brand has brought out 13 fitness DVDs, – regularly gives advice to people suffering with addiction.

She said: “Find someone that can sympathise and empathise with them and also spot the signs.

“It can take a long time and often people just aren’t ready and you can tell that but I often call it planting the seed. You can have a two-hour conversation with them and it might not make a difference right then but you have planted a seed for later.

“Once you have gone through recovery the idea is then you use what you have learned to help others and pass that on.”

Davina, who has Holly, 15, Tilly, 13, and 10-year-old son Chester with husband of 17 years Matthew, admitted at first you are tempted to take a drink.

She said: “You are looking at it and wanting it but when you are working towards recovery you don’t have that at all. It’s just lifted from you.”

So what is the best thing about overcoming her addictions?

With a huge smile, Davina said: “Just relationships. With yourself, your family, with strangers on the street and how people react with you. It’s a miracle. You’re whole life is incomparable.”