Bad Drunk: How I found my freedom from alcohol - and you can too

by Millie Mackintosh, Ellie Cannon

'If you've ever considered changing your relationship with alcohol or thought "could drinking less be better?", grab a copy of Bad Drunk. It's a must-read' Dr Martha Deiros Collado, bestselling author of How to Be the Grown-Up

'Bad Drunk is the most calming, reassuring and encouraging read for anyone thinking about exploring less to no alcohol' Poppy Jamie, author of Happy Not Perfect

'A refreshing take on kicking booze' Irish Independent

Millie Mackintosh took the decision to give alcohol-free life a try after observing the impact drinking alcohol was having on her health and wellbeing. Now, more than three years into her sober curious journey, Millie shares her full experience with honesty and warmth, from the events that led to her decision to stop drinking, through to the positive effects of the alcohol-free lifestyle she enjoys today. Writing with NHS GP Dr Ellie Cannon, Bad Drunk combines practical, scientific advice with Millie's personal what has worked for her, what she has struggled with - and tips and advice on how to navigate the road ahead.

Whether you're simply looking to cut back your alcohol consumption, you're ready to quit drinking altogether or you want to understand how to help a loved one, Bad Drunk will be an essential guide that will help you make decisions for your future health and happiness.

Genres: Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published January 16, 2025

Reviews

[Danielle Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - really made me re-think my views on drinking / socialising etc. Highly recommend!

[Grvpefruit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t entirely for me but I really resonated with the writing about energy in your friendships and overall focus on independence & mindfulness.

[Lauren Nicol Deaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really glad I didn't spend a lot on this and order it as a book, instead I listened to it as an audio book on a free subscription.

Whilst I don't think a lot of it is aimed at myself as I don't have a problem with alcohol. I can TOTALLY see where Millie is coming from and I honestly praise her for being so raw and her unapologetically being herself it's refreshing. I still don't think most people's lives are identical to hers though. Especially when she makes references to herself at awards ceremonies, on board private jets and partying in gorgeous islands in Ibiza..

I get where she's going with this book and I think a lot of people will relate to the theme of the book. I also like how there is a professional Dr guiding you through the book aswell I think that'll be useful for some people.

[Rebecca Murrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raw and real account of Millie’s relationship with alcohol. I can personally relate to a lot in this book as someone who is now sober curious. Full of helpful tips and facts it is a book not just for people who rely on alcohol but for anyone who is wanting to change their relationship around nights out and alcohol.
Biggest take away : the people pushing you are not your people.

[shonasbookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a looooot of quick lit and this one is... Fine. Definitely not my favourite and I can't decide if it would have been better to read early on in sobriety because a lot of this I feel I've read/heard before. If you are sober or sober curious it is worth a read but it didn't wow me or change my life like Sober Girl Society, Glorious Rock Bottom, and The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober.

[Ellen Forsyth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate giving books bad reviews but this was genuinely very hard to get through. I’m sure this book has done wonders for some people but it has a very limited audience and basically, if you don’t fit that, I feel it’s a wasted read. Longing for a sober curious read that doesn’t just serve people that have had a very serious issue with alcohol. Also having a doctor co-write something but then having basically no science in it was very disappointing!

[Aoife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this on my wish list for a bit and was pleasantly surprised when it came up on the kindle monthly deals this month (You can still grab it now at 99p on Amazon until 31st)

I’ll admit that one I was a big MIC fan back in the day and two that I don’t really drink, except for the odd Mojito so I was merely here for the gossip and the back story and what led to this book, rather than the true self-help aspect.
She’s brutally honest and says that “This is not a sob story, it’s a sobriety story”, there’s no woe for me or pity me narrative, and you can you be rest assured when you see the cost and expense of some of her solutions and practices and how the turning point for her was in the middle of the Med on a private yacht after an alcohol induced panic attack.

Although we can’t all relate to this incredible backstory, we can relate to aspects of it. Millie was self-medicating alcohol and prescription Xanax in a dangerous cocktail to suppress and numb her trauma and anxiety. She was on the breach of losing it all. Her husband Hugo had confided in her that if she didn’t sort it out soon. It would be the end of them. With one divorce already in her past, she was conscious she wasn’t heading towards her second and made some real life changes. She met with her sober coach, changed her priorities, shifted her focus and went to therapy to deal with her repressed trauma and resulting anxiety head on.

Life changed for Millie, she had more time and patience for her two daughters. She was more present, more focused, but she hated socialising, Weddings were now a mystery without alcohol, she lost friends, now that she was no longer the party girl, but she gained perspective, new hobbies and a more understanding circle.

This book isn’t anti-alcohol, but rather it’s an amuse bouche for the sober curious. It’s a step into what life could be like, if you so choose it. She admits she struggled that first year and she held on to that emergency Xanax in her purse. Going cold turkey is never easy, it’s that honesty and clinical reassurance from Co-author Dr. Ellie Cannon that makes the book.

Definitely recommend and surely worth the 99p

[Briana Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bad Drunk by Millie Mackintosh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Memoir of celebrity Millie Mackintosh from party girl socialite to teetotal Mum of two girls for the past two years.

Likes:
👍 Honest memoir
👍 Millie’s voice on Audible
👍 Uplifting and inspiring
👍 Good balance between Millie’s story and Dr Ellie Cannon’s scientific information on sobriety

Dislikes:
👎 Compared with other books on the topic of society, there isn’t anything too new or different.

Recommend For:
🤓 Anyone interested in an alcohol-free trial and/or fans of the reality celebrity Millie Mackintosh

Other Sobercurious Book Recommendations:
📚The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚Quit Like A Woman by Holly Whitaker- read ⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober- read ⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington- read ⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 This Naked Mind by Annie Grace (yet to read)

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I immediately decided i would read this when I saw Millie had planned to release it. The day I got it happened to be my nine month sobriety birthday.
This is EXACTLY the book I was looking for nine months ago. Someone relatable. Someone drinking because it wasn’t the best fit for them. Not because they were an ‘alcoholic’.
Whilst not super revolutionary, a honest clear insight into Millie’s spiralling relationship with alcohol and her path to wellness. I couldn’t have poured out past experiences the way Millie has and for that I respect her more than ever before.
I hope this books reach will show other people how life changing not drinking alcohol can be. Because truly. It is. Thanks Millie.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great read for anxiety and for alcohol and those that are sober/sober curious.
Some interesting stories of her time during the made in Chelsea years and particularly interesting as I remember wish I could be part of that party scene but it reminds you of the pain that was there at the edges for her.
Informative with the chapter ends by Dr Emma and I liked the resources that were included at the end.
A great remind that we aren’t alone when we have these struggles

[Bex Killoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that ACTUALLY made me sober curious.

I’ve read a lot of books on sobriety and listened to endless podcasts but honestly, nothing ever stuck or resonated with me.

This was really different.

Millie is so honest about her experience, and her stories resonated so hard with me, the way I drink, the reasons why I drink, and the feelings afterwards. It was like visiting my own pysch.

Really grateful I picked this up, I’ve got a few big nights planned in jan but afterwards, I can’t wait to pick this back up and try be a little bit more sober curious this year.

[Karina Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d really been looking forward to this book as a sober myself and having followed Millie’s alcohol free journey. She really opened up and I appreciated her being so candid on some of her darker moments that ultimately lead her to going alcohol free. This was a pretty quick read, definitely recommend for anyone else who is curious about cutting back on alcohol.

[Bianca Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a MIC fan I had to give this book a read. I must say Millie doesn’t a great job at starting the conversation on sobriety and getting us to think deeper on why we drink and its place in our lives moving forward. If anyone is sober curious or looking even to drink less I think this book provides some valuable insights and perspective.

[Rob James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly appreciated Millie's honesty and I am immensely grateful that this book has turned the cogs on my own journey to an alcohol free lifestyle.

[jodie cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!! Bravo Millie!! I can completely relate and ready to take on the challenges!

[Caroline Croezen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable quick listen.

[Flo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think self help books are for me.

[Samantha Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an honest and emotional account one which I could relate to and my own experience of alcohol

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice to read someone else’s personal journey with alcohol and I found the professional she had write about some aspects was a nice touch

[Melanie Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is what I needed right now. 4⭐️

[Molly Lythaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea and easy read but just a bit meh

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on audio and Millie's voice is really calming.

Wasn't the most exciting sobriety book I've ever read but the science was good and the stories resonated with me.

[Eva Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful in my sobriety journey. Now on The Sober Diaries and any other recommendations would be gratefully received. Done 6 months without meetings!