Loose Women’s Linda Robson opened up about the impact her alcohol battle has had on her family during an emotional segment on Thursday’s instalment of ITV ’s Loose Women.
The 63-year-old described the guilt she still carries for the two years she turned to alcohol and nearly destroyed her close-knit family.
The Birds Of A Feather actress’s battle with alcoholism led to three stints in rehab and clinics until she was diagnosed with a rare allergic reaction to an antidepressant.
Opening up to her fellow panellists on the ITV show, Linda said her children never made her feel guilty about the spiral, but said she “can’t help but carry that guilt”.
Host Kaye Adams turned to Linda to ask what that grief specifically feels like.
Linda said: “It felt horrible and it still does now. When I think back to those two years and what I actually did to my kids and my grandchildren as well - they saw me drinking and completely blacking out.
“It was absolutely terrible. When I look back now, I think that wasn’t me. For those two years it was like someone had taken over my body and I had no control over it.”
Kaye weighed in in response as the panel discussed feelings of grief, saying: “I think you do have to reflect on your behaviour and experiences and stuff.”
She added to Linda: “But with you, your reflection should be that you were in the grips of something over which you had no control and therefore you are not responsible.
“Thank goodness for that lovely family who recognised that and loved you through it. For that reason it would be great if you could let go of that. That’s logical and I know logic and emotion are not always in line.”
After a year-long absence from Loose Women while she tackled her issues, Linda returned to the ITV daytime show at the beginning of 2020 after getting the go-ahead from her doctor.
Her family saw that there was something wrong with Linda and her erratic behaviour at home had twice led to police intervention.
She has previously explained that her anxiety was rooted in a 2008 tragedy, when her son Louis had been out with friend Ben Kinsella the night he was stabbed and died at the scene.
She claims from that day forward she felt completely different when it came to the safety of her children - Linda is also mum to two daughters Lauren and Roberta - and struggled with anxiety as well as obsessive compulsive disorder.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV
