‘I woke up with no memory of the night before’

MILLIE GOOCH, 28, FROM GRAVESEND, KENT, GAVE UP ALCOHOL AFTER REALISING IT WAS RUINING HER LIFE. NOW SHE HAS A NEW CAREER AS A SPEAKER ABOUT THE JOYS OF BEING SOBER

It was as a student at Sussex University that I was propelled into a world of nightlife and binge drinking. You could get a triple vodka and Red Bull in the bars in Brighton for only £1.50, so everyone was doing it. Then I got a job in PR, where there’s a big drinking culture. The hangovers were bad, but the anxiety was worse. How did I get home? Did I upset anyone?

Five years ago, I quit drinking at work events, but when I was out with friends I couldn’t stop. I’d spend about £150 a night on drinks and Ubers. I was always the girl who’d end up arguing and crying in the toilets. Then I’d spend Sundays in bed, gripped with anxiety.

The turning point came on 11 February 2018. I woke up with hardly any memory of the night before and something inside me said, “I can’t do this any more.”

I downloaded the book The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober by Catherine Gray as an audiobook as I was too hungover to read. I gave up drinking that day.

In September that year, I set up an Instagram page aimed at people like me – girls who want to have fun but live a life without alcohol. Then, in January

2019, I took part in a panel discussion about being young and sober and it’s grown from there. I go up and down the country doing various events. I was on the radio talking about Ellie Goulding, who said she turned to alcohol because she didn’t think she was interesting enough without it.

The trend for mindful drinking is growing, particularly among millennials. Even if people aren’t becoming teetotal, they’re questioning their drinking habits. I’ve lost weight, saved money and have more energy. But it’s the change to my mental health that matters most to me. I’m so glad I made the change.