3 sober influencers on how going booze-free changed their lives

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Millie Gooch, founder of The Sober Girl Society “I stopped drinking in 2018 because of the effect alcohol was having on my mental health,” says Gooch, author of The Sober Girl Society Handbook. I ask if I can lend a hand with the food, the washing up or driving someone’s Nan home.” Michael Sargood, @happywithoutthehooch, and founder of Sober Socials “I’m now 22 months sober, though this is not my first attempt at sobriety, having sought the holy grail of moderate drinking for the best part of 20 years – and ending up using the services of my local drug and alcohol centre,” Sargood says. “Although sobriety hasn’t been the cure-all to all my challenges, I now understand my brain better,” he says, having got an ADHD diagnosis since becoming sober. That side to us doesn’t stop just because we’re not drinking.” Lauren Amy White, ambassador for Recoverlution “Going through a really tough time growing up, I always had a problem with excess of alcohol, food and drugs, which led me to some pretty dark places,” says White.