Millie Mackintosh has spoken candidly about her relationship with alcohol and the role of shame in her new book, Bad Drunk. The former reality TV star, known for her polished Instagram feed, said she wanted to write the book she wished she had read as a younger woman. She aims to help those who feel they do not need rehab or AA but want to change their drinking habits.
In the book, Mackintosh details weekends lost to hangovers, picking fights, anxiety, and a cycle of deteriorating self-esteem that led to more drinking and prescription tranquillisers. She described the process of writing as cathartic and freeing, explaining that shining a light on her darker moments helped her let go of shame.
Mackintosh noted that terms like 'sober' and 'alcoholic' carry negative connotations, creating stigma. She highlighted a 'grey area' of people, including mums and those in their 30s, who have struggled with alcohol since their teens and are now cutting back or stopping. She used a sober coach, which she found helpful, and included resources in the book for those seeking alternatives to traditional recovery groups.
