'Liver scan made me a changed man'

Damian Millard said a liver scan prompted him to make healthier lifestyle choices

A man who struggled with alcohol and drug addiction said a liver scan motivated him to start making healthier choices.

Damian Millard, from Bath, was told his liver was not in good condition when he was given a non-invasive scan by the charity Developing Health and Independence (DHI) a few years ago.

He now works with the charity to help other people with similar life experiences undergo free liver checks in the city.

Mr Millard said: "I'm a changed man. I know a lot of people say that, but I really feel that."

A fibroscanner is used to carry out non-invasive liver checks

According to the NHS, alcohol-related liver disease usually does not show any symptoms until the organ has been severely damaged.

The disease accounted for 10,593 premature deaths in England in 2022, up from 6,140 deaths in 2001.

Mr Millard said he drank a lot from an early age, due to mental health problems.

"Things were really not great for me. I was a mess. I was sleeping on the streets.

"I came down here and started seeking help."

He had a liver scan and was told it was not in a healthy condition.

"I was worried and scared for the future. But DHI supported me through everything," he said.

Mr Millard said he enjoys helping others to have their liver checked.

"It's like a mirror. You look at the people coming in and you think, 'I was like that'," Mr Millard said.

Matt Davidson said the charity has helped turn his life around

Matt Davidson from Bath, said he owes a lot to DHI's support.

"I probably wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for DHI. Last summer, they saw me when I was in hospital due to my alcohol addiction.

"Within days of leaving the hospital, I was in a dry house.

"I thought there was no way out, that I couldn't stop drinking. But I found a new life."

Madeleine Stevens said the charity wanted to get people interested in their liver heath

Madeleine Stevens, DHI alcohol engagement coordinator, said the charity tries to get people "a bit more interested" in their liver health.

She said: "Especially in Britain, I think it's very normalised to have a drink to celebrate regularly.

"We're not trying to tell people to stop drinking alcohol altogether, but just encouraging people to understand a little bit more about how much they're drinking.

"Lots of people in this country drink a little bit more than they think they do."

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