A MOTHER who lost her son to an alcohol addiction has said that life is "unbearable without him".

Paul Atkinson, 51, from Walney, died at Furness General Hospital on August 26 last year.

He was admitted on July 8 following a referral from his GP.

An inquest at Barrow Town Hall on Tuesday was told that Mr Atkinson was originally admitted for an alcohol detox but "became increasingly deranged".

Robert Chapman, assistant coroner for Cumbria, explained that Mr Atkinson had hepatic encephalopathy, which is the occurrence of confusion and an altered level of consciousness as a result of liver failure.

His mother, Lorraine Atkinson and his brother, Steven Atkinson attended the inquest.

It was explained that because of Mr Atkinson's deteriorating health he was subject to a Deprivation of Liberty Order, meaning he had to remain in hospital.

Mrs Atkinson said: "He lived with me most of the time and before he started drinking he was a strong, healthy young man.

"His drinking increased after his divorce and then after the death of his father in 2013.

"I tried to get him to cut down on the amount of alcohol he drank but then he was finding a way to top it up."

The inquest also heard that Mr Atkinson had began drinking heavily a number of years ago and by the time of his death had been drinking around three litres of cider a day.

Steven Atkinson said: "It interfered with his functional life and changed his personality. He had a lot of close friends and a lot of people loved him."

Mr Chapman recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Speaking directly to Mr Atkinson's family, Mr Chapman said: "It's clear that he was well loved and you did your best.

"The problem is that the organisations who help with drug and alcohol addiction rely on the patients really trying to stop and I get the impression that he was not really up to that - he was unable to do it."

Speaking after the inquest Mrs Atkinson said: "He was friendly and well liked. He suffered with anxiety and he turned to drink to help him cope.

"I miss him everyday, it's unbearable without him and his dad in my life.

"I was always hoping that he would respond to his treatment and he was always thought he would get over it.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who stayed true to him right until the end.

"He passed away peacefully with his family by his side."