Millie Mackintosh recalls ‘wanting to drink to blackout’ as she opens up on her ‘addictive tendency’ and the moment she decided to give up alcohol

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Millie Mackintosh has shared that she used to drink to excess, admitting she had a tendency towards addictive behavior and explaining when she decided to stop drinking alcohol.

The 36-year-old former Made In Chelsea star stopped drinking in the summer of 2022 after realizing she had an unhealthy reliance on alcohol.

Millie told Women’s Health UK that she had to give up alcohol completely because she found it impossible to stop after just one drink.

When asked if she considered herself an alcoholic, she responded that it really depended on how someone defined the term.

I didn’t drink regularly, but when I did, I wanted to drink to excess – just keep drinking and drinking until I lost consciousness.

I know giving in to this desire is bad for my well-being, and it’s better for me to avoid it entirely than to allow myself even a little bit.

Millie shared that she struggles with alcohol addiction and talked about how drinking problems exist on a spectrum – not everyone who drinks heavily is necessarily an alcoholic.

She admitted she has a tendency towards addiction, stating she believes she had an alcohol use disorder.

There’s a group of people who aren’t necessarily alcoholics, but who frequently drink more than they intend to.

I remember the exact moment I knew I needed to get sober. It was a real turning point for me, and I realized I had to completely give up alcohol to move forward.

She explained that a severe panic attack, experienced while hungover, was the turning point that made her decide to stop drinking for good.

‘And it’s now been three and a half years.’

This follows Millie’s recent sharing that her therapist believes she’s become reliant on her anxiety, as she explained her methods for managing her stress response.

The reality star shared that she recently began working with a new therapist, and that the therapist’s ideas strongly resonated with her.

Millie’s been working on ways to feel less anxious and more relaxed, and she’s even stopped drinking coffee every day as part of that.

She explained that something she said really resonated with me: she believes I’ve become reliant on feeling anxious, and that my daily coffee habit actually keeps my body on high alert and stressed.

‘One of things I’ve been having in the morning instead of coffee is a cup of bone broth.

I’ve also started using a technique called tapping, officially known as Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. It’s really helpful for quickly calming down when you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed – it helps move you out of that ‘fight or flight’ mode.

This technique involves gently tapping on various spots on your face while repeating affirmations. For example, you might say, “Even though I’m feeling uncomfortable, I choose to love and accept myself.”

A calming technique I really like is called The Psychological Sigh. You quickly inhale twice through your nose, raise your shoulders, and then—(takes a deep breath)—it immediately seems to reset something in your brain.

Millie recently shared her daily meals and explained how her diet has been beneficial for managing her ADHD.

The influencer said on Monday that she’s stopped eating refined sugar and is now focusing on a diet of whole, unprocessed foods.

Millie shared that she begins each day with bone broth, followed by meals rich in protein. She generally follows an 80/20 rule – eating healthily most of the time, but allowing for treats occasionally.

Millie shared a look at her daily diet on Instagram. She explained she stopped eating refined sugar about a year ago, something she’s mentioned briefly before, but hadn’t fully detailed until now.

I felt amazing after completing a 10-day sugar detox, so I’ve mostly stuck to that way of eating since then, prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods.

I don’t like to be too strict with my routine; I aim for an 80/20 balance. Honestly, it’s made a big difference in managing my ADHD and helping me feel more consistently stable and calm throughout the day.

She explained that this way of eating has completely shifted her perspective on food. By prioritizing whole, natural ingredients, she’s now focused on foods that help maintain stable blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and give her body and brain the nutrients they need to thrive.

Dr. Mark Hyman often discusses how cutting out highly processed foods and too much sugar allows your body to naturally improve its energy levels, mood, and ability to concentrate.

‘For me, it’s less about restriction and more about nourishment and thinking of food as medicine.’

Millie described her typical diet as including a protein shake and soup for lunch, followed by curry or stew in the evening.

She said she typically begins her day with a drink of bone broth, warm water with lemon, and electrolytes. This combination helps her feel hydrated, energized, and well-nourished.

Once I’ve dropped the kids off at school, I typically have a smoothie made with protein, almond butter, and berries. That usually keeps me full until lunchtime, though I might grab a small handful of nuts if I need a little extra energy in between.

I often enjoy a hearty vegetable soup for lunch in the winter. It’s really warming, and I usually add eggs, fish, or chicken to make it more filling and give me a protein boost.

‘If I need a snack in the afternoon it might be a chia pudding, more nuts or a keto snack.

I usually build my dinners around a protein source, like a curry, stew, or something slow-cooked. I always include vegetables, but I keep things simple and focus on meals that make me feel healthy and satisfied.

Everyone is unique, and while I’m no expert, I wanted to share what’s been working well for me.

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2026-01-27 19:56