Liver disease is the fifth biggest killer

 
At the height of her alcoholism, however, it was only vast amounts of super-strength lager that would pass her lips - and the effect on her frail body is clear to see.
 
Although Maz, 49, has been sober for five years, an alcohol problem stretching back three decades means she is suffering with advanced liver cirrhosis, a fatal condition linked to boozing which can only be treated with a transplant.
 
 
But despite warnings from doctors that she will die without a new organ, Maz stubbornly refuses to accept one.
 
She says: "I've thought long and hard and discussed it with my elderly mum and kids. My family would love me to take a transplant and live longer but it's my choice.
 
"I was the one who chose to drink. I was asking for this.
 
"There are people out there with terrible illnesses who didn't ask for it and they deserve the new liver. When I die my conscience will be clear."
 
The agonising decision has devastated her partner Pete Jeffrey, 54, her three daughters, Mazari, 31, Tanya, 27, and Tara, 21, and 22-year-old son Danny.
 
Maz, who grew up in south London, fears Britain is in the grip of a binge-drinking epidemic which successive governments have failed to tackle.
 
According to the Office for National Statistics the number of alcohol-related deaths in Britain soared from 4,023 in 1992 to 9,031 in 2008, the most recent year for which figures are available.
 
Liver disease is the fifth biggest killer in England and Wales - after heart disease, cancer, stroke and respiratory disease - with 38 people dying from it EVERY DAY in the UK.
 
These staggering statistics can perhaps be explained by the fact that alcohol is 75 per cent CHEAPER now in real terms than in 1980.
 
A recent Government crackdown on prices - which saw the minimum cost of lager increased to just 38p per can - was branded a waste of time by experts. Typical lager is 4 to 4.5% alcohol by volume, strong continental lager can be up to 6% while super-strength varieties are typically 9%.
 
Maz says: "People think binge-drinking is fun but I know the long-term effect of alcohol abuse.
 
"When I see pictures of young folk being sick and brawling in the street, it shows the anti-social side of booze. Alcoholics used to be old men and tramps but now drinkers are getting younger. It frightens me.
 
"If prices were higher youngsters wouldn't be able to afford to go and get drunk on a whim.
 
"Cracking down on anti-social drinks such as stronger lagers and alcopops by raising prices would not only ease pressure on hospitals but put alcohol beyond the reach of vulnerable boozers.
 
"I hope I live to see that day. Thanks to this country's drink problem, I have more friends who are dead than alive."
 
Nestled on her sofa, Maz smiles bravely at the thought of sacrificing any second chance she might be offered to help someone else.
 
She recently spent ten days in hospital due to swelling and dehydration caused by a daily cocktail of drugs taken for constipation, cramps and various other ailments.