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The Sober Girl Society Handbook: Why drinking less means living more
UPDATED WITH A BRAND NEW CHAPTER ON SOBER CURIOSITY*Voted an Independent best self-care book for 2021**Voted one of Heat's best self-help books to help you reach your full potential*If you've ever woken up feeling anxious, or cringing with embarrassment, about something you did or said whilst drunk the night before, this book may just change your life.Whichever way you look at it, it's hard to avoid how alcohol really makes us terrible. After years of partying and hangovers started taking a toll on her mental health, Millie Gooch gave up alcohol and has never looked back.Offering tips and advice on staying sober and curious in a world obsessed with booze, this handbook will change your life for ever, by showing you not only why you should drink less, but how. Millie shares essential information to empower you to transform your relationship with alcohol so that you can lead your most fulfilling life.Whether you're sober curious or determined to make a more permanent change, it's time to join the Sober Girl Society!It's time to join the Sober Girl 'I LOVE this book already, just received today and I can't put it down!''I recommend this to anyone; whether they want to stop drinking permanently, or even would just like to cut down on their drinking.''I love how relatable and non-preachy this book is.''Approaches what can be a tricky and confusing subject for many with humour and wit.''Perfect for those reconsidering their relationship with alcohol. Brilliant book.'
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2021
310 people are currently reading
1877 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
November 20, 2022
The best book to have been written in the history of books - from a completely unbiased reviewer…
January 24, 2021
I enjoyed this so much, I ripped through this book in a day!
I’m newly sober (originally inspired by Millie actually) so I’ve been reading a lot of quit lit. This book is the first one to address millennial women’s journey to sobriety and all the hurdles we’ll have to cross with social occasions and cultural expectation.
I love that Millie wasn’t alcohol dependent, she just knew her consumption was problematic and didn’t want to be beholden to a drug anymore. Much quit lit focuses extensively on the alcoholic mum character which is hard to relate to when your drinking habits haven’t quite reached that point yet.
I love reading work written by journalists too because it’s always full of interesting info backed by solid research. This book really did open my eyes even further to the harm heavy drinking inflicts on our bodies and how damaging it is to us as a society.
I think this will be one I’ll continue to refer back to again and again, particularly when I have a triggering event or occasion coming up.
Millie makes you feel so inspired and excited to quit drinking. She truly emanates what it means to be living in your most authentic self and it’s hugely aspirational as a newly sober girl!
I’m newly sober (originally inspired by Millie actually) so I’ve been reading a lot of quit lit. This book is the first one to address millennial women’s journey to sobriety and all the hurdles we’ll have to cross with social occasions and cultural expectation.
I love that Millie wasn’t alcohol dependent, she just knew her consumption was problematic and didn’t want to be beholden to a drug anymore. Much quit lit focuses extensively on the alcoholic mum character which is hard to relate to when your drinking habits haven’t quite reached that point yet.
I love reading work written by journalists too because it’s always full of interesting info backed by solid research. This book really did open my eyes even further to the harm heavy drinking inflicts on our bodies and how damaging it is to us as a society.
I think this will be one I’ll continue to refer back to again and again, particularly when I have a triggering event or occasion coming up.
Millie makes you feel so inspired and excited to quit drinking. She truly emanates what it means to be living in your most authentic self and it’s hugely aspirational as a newly sober girl!
January 27, 2021
Brilliant read for the sober curious, wanna be mindful drinker, or anyone who’s already sober/alcohol free. Millie has great tips, advice and shares some good research around the world of alcohol, which I still found really helpful being nearly 3 years sober/alcohol free and would have found super helpful during my early days of sobriety. As I always say, I am not a big re-reader but this is definitely one for my re-read list!
January 26, 2021
WOW WOW WOW this is a book that every woman needs to read, no matter what age you are, or what stage you are at in your relationship with alcohol. Hysterically funny with some heartbreaking moments, and lots of incredibly important facts that we all need to know. I will definitely be buying this for friends and family members, and i will read again and again.
January 21, 2021
Enjoyable and an important read aimed at people thinking about changing their relationship with alcohol.
For me it felt like it could of got a bit deeper into Millie’s story, was slightly ‘fluffy’ in places and was a bit like preaching to the converted.
Still an enjoyable read, and great promotion for the sober community!
For me it felt like it could of got a bit deeper into Millie’s story, was slightly ‘fluffy’ in places and was a bit like preaching to the converted.
Still an enjoyable read, and great promotion for the sober community!
March 28, 2022
2.5⭐️. Feel like this was definitely aimed at a certain type of person - an Instagram-obsessed, PR exec, living in London, who went binge drinking every weekend and suffered regular blackouts… Not as useful if you’re interested in breaking the habit and just like the taste of alcohol rather than getting absolutely hammered.
April 3, 2023
This book came to me at the start of my sober journey and solidified my decision - I was going sober. I felt this was part memoir/guide and truly gave me the perfect balance of scientific insight into the damage of alcohol and also anecdotes that left you nodding in agreement. It felt more supportive than preachy and never gave the “I’m better than you” narrative that some people who cut the booze can give. I find Millie’s writing so captivating - I have recommended this book to so many people and three people in my life have come to the decision (on their own) to going the sober curious life.
September 27, 2024
Connected with the sober curious chapter and there were lots of helpful suggestions and tips, but I did find that some of the content of the book felt marginally scaremongering and I really didn’t connect with the suggestions around crystals.
January 17, 2021
Couldn’t put it down, finished in 2 days. Supportive of sober curious readers, relatable and some good advice. Would even read again!
January 6, 2025
Thank you Millie 🙌 !!! As someone who has drunk quite regularly since the age of 18 (without really second guessing it) but doing Dry January for the first time, this book has been so helpful for reframing my mindset and rethinking my relationship with alcohol. I’m so glad I came across this book when I did, and think I will revisit it again and again at different stages of my life. I highly recommend to sober friends, sober curious folk and those who do currently drink as I think everyone could gain something from her wise words ⭐️💗
January 11, 2022
Absolutely loved it! I’ve not drank for a year now and I just wish I had read this book sooner. Even if you don’t want to give up drinking this book is really informative and a really happy / positive read!
June 14, 2025
So many things I resonated with in this book! Deffo more sober curious than sober but I feel this will be a book I keep coming back to!!!
September 15, 2022
THE REASON:
Two years ago, I decided to become a mindful drinker, after I was feeling that late night gatherings were no longer serving me. I started to appreciate early nights and early mornings ⛅️. I was looking for other girls like me out there, who were not alcohol dependent, but wanted to make a change 🙋🏻♀️. That is when I came across Millie and SGS 🪩.
During these two years, I started to question alcohol as a whole. Even a couple glasses of wine no longer had a logical purpose in my mind (actually, I am sure there was never a logical purpose 🤔).
Now fast forward to Fall 2022 (Sept 4th to be exact), I felt ready to take the plunge in becoming a sober girl 👸🏻, so I got my hands on this handbook, and broke, for the second time this year, my book buying ban 😅.
THE REVIEW:
I absolutely LOVED this book💕. Millie is super relatable for so many of us who go out for drinks with friends on weekends because of how normalized it is. For those of us who have bubbly on special occasions, because again, how normalized it is. This book makes you think and question our society’s normalized alcohol consumption. I had so many ‘ah-ha’ moments💡, highlighted the pages like crazy, and some of the facts dropped my jaw 😲. This book did not come off as preachy. It was super educational and informative. Millie brings in experts and statistics. This book targets topics from health (a lot of shocking information), from how ever-present and glorified alcohol is, to the lucrative ways alcohol is marketed. The way Millie writes made me feel like I was talking to a close friend 👯♀️.
Lastly, I feel that Millie is updating the definition of what it means to be sober. Someone can be sober because they were alcohol dependent, and someone can be sober for the simple fact that they wanted to make a change. Everyone’s story is different, and I really enjoy how she reiterates that you don’t have to hit rock bottom to make a change. If you are wanting to become more of a mindful drinker, sober-curious, or want to become a sober girl, this was such a fantastic book which I can't recommend enough 🌸!
(I also recommended following Millie and SGS on social media if you are curious 🪩. That is where I started. She shares lots of helpful insights, stories, inspirational quotes, and non-alcoholic brands and mocktail recipes. I myself am super excited to start exploring some non-alcoholic beverages and I will be sure to share my findings 🥂!)
Two years ago, I decided to become a mindful drinker, after I was feeling that late night gatherings were no longer serving me. I started to appreciate early nights and early mornings ⛅️. I was looking for other girls like me out there, who were not alcohol dependent, but wanted to make a change 🙋🏻♀️. That is when I came across Millie and SGS 🪩.
During these two years, I started to question alcohol as a whole. Even a couple glasses of wine no longer had a logical purpose in my mind (actually, I am sure there was never a logical purpose 🤔).
Now fast forward to Fall 2022 (Sept 4th to be exact), I felt ready to take the plunge in becoming a sober girl 👸🏻, so I got my hands on this handbook, and broke, for the second time this year, my book buying ban 😅.
THE REVIEW:
I absolutely LOVED this book💕. Millie is super relatable for so many of us who go out for drinks with friends on weekends because of how normalized it is. For those of us who have bubbly on special occasions, because again, how normalized it is. This book makes you think and question our society’s normalized alcohol consumption. I had so many ‘ah-ha’ moments💡, highlighted the pages like crazy, and some of the facts dropped my jaw 😲. This book did not come off as preachy. It was super educational and informative. Millie brings in experts and statistics. This book targets topics from health (a lot of shocking information), from how ever-present and glorified alcohol is, to the lucrative ways alcohol is marketed. The way Millie writes made me feel like I was talking to a close friend 👯♀️.
Lastly, I feel that Millie is updating the definition of what it means to be sober. Someone can be sober because they were alcohol dependent, and someone can be sober for the simple fact that they wanted to make a change. Everyone’s story is different, and I really enjoy how she reiterates that you don’t have to hit rock bottom to make a change. If you are wanting to become more of a mindful drinker, sober-curious, or want to become a sober girl, this was such a fantastic book which I can't recommend enough 🌸!
(I also recommended following Millie and SGS on social media if you are curious 🪩. That is where I started. She shares lots of helpful insights, stories, inspirational quotes, and non-alcoholic brands and mocktail recipes. I myself am super excited to start exploring some non-alcoholic beverages and I will be sure to share my findings 🥂!)
May 4, 2022
‘Alcohol doesn’t add anything to you that isn’t already there’
I have never felt so validated AND called out by a self help book before. I resonate with virtually everything Millie talks about, I feel like this book was written for me.
Sobriety is something I’ve contemplated for so long and had so many reservations about. This book addressed them all and has taught me and given me confidence that it is doable. Learning that I’m not ‘just a lightweight’ and that problematic drinking does not necessarily mean dependence, it’s has completely opened my eyes to a lot of things and pushed me to look inwards and reflect on a lot of things.
I have never felt so validated AND called out by a self help book before. I resonate with virtually everything Millie talks about, I feel like this book was written for me.
Sobriety is something I’ve contemplated for so long and had so many reservations about. This book addressed them all and has taught me and given me confidence that it is doable. Learning that I’m not ‘just a lightweight’ and that problematic drinking does not necessarily mean dependence, it’s has completely opened my eyes to a lot of things and pushed me to look inwards and reflect on a lot of things.
January 29, 2024
Took me awhile to get through solely because some of the chapters hurt. I felt so many emotions while reading this and have come to my conclusion that alcohol has so negatively affected my life. I didn’t want to remember things I had done or said but I am glad I was able to get through this book because it proves I am not alone. I recommend this read to anyone struggling or who is sober curious. Millie covers a lot of topics and does so with facts and personal anecdotes that allow you to really see both sides of the booze business. After all, it is a business, bound with politics and near-sketchy regulations, and I am no longer a consumer.
January 16, 2021
I was so excited to read this book and I can say it absolutely did not disappoint. Having a bad relationship with alcohol, sobriety is something I have toyed around with for years and years. I've never felt strong or determined enough to do it. After something clicking more recently, I really hoped this book would dig deeper into this feelings and give me the motivation I needed to make a transformative change in my life. Believe me when I say it did. For anyone considering sobriety or if they're simply sober curious, I could not recommend this wonderfully written book enough.
December 29, 2025
English further down!
Jeg begynte å lese denne boka med et ønske om å drikke mindre og mer "mindful", ikke et ønske om å kutte ut alkohol i sin helhet. Starten av boka var super med fine kapitler som omhandlet det viktige; hvorfor handler livet om alkohol og hvordan skal man navigere et sosialt liv uten?
Elsket første halvdel av boka og flere deler i andre halvdel som omtalte mental helse og hvilke virkninger alkohol faktisk har på kroppen.
Likevel ble det litt strevende å skulle fullføre boken når det ble litt for "overtroisk" for meg med forslag om krystaller som en hjelpemetode for eksempel. Samtidig virker det også som forfatteren nesten blir dømmende om du kun er nysgjerrig på det å konsumere mindre alkohol og ikke har den lysten til å kutte det ut helt, selv om helsefarene er mange noe som blir tydelig nevnt.
Det er åpenbart at også veldig mye av boka faktisk er allmennkunnskap, som for eksempel at det å trene, være aktiv og reflektere over hvorfor man drikker og være nysgjerrig på hvordan man takler sosiale arrangementer uten alkohol.
I started reading this book with a desire to drink less and be more 'mindful,' not with a desire to quit alcohol entirely. The beginning of the book was great, with nice chapters covering the important aspects: why life seems centered around alcohol and how to navigate a social life without it.
I loved the first half of the book, and several parts in the second half that discussed mental health and the actual effects alcohol has on the body.
Still, it became a bit challenging to finish the book when it got a little too 'superstitious' for me, with suggestions like using crystals as a tool, for example. At the same time, it also seems like the author almost becomes judgmental if you are only curious about consuming less alcohol and don't have the desire to quit entirely, even though the health risks are many, which is clearly mentioned.
It is obvious that a large part of the book is actually general knowledge, such as exercising, being active, reflecting on why you drink, and being curious about how you handle social events without alcohol.
Jeg begynte å lese denne boka med et ønske om å drikke mindre og mer "mindful", ikke et ønske om å kutte ut alkohol i sin helhet. Starten av boka var super med fine kapitler som omhandlet det viktige; hvorfor handler livet om alkohol og hvordan skal man navigere et sosialt liv uten?
Elsket første halvdel av boka og flere deler i andre halvdel som omtalte mental helse og hvilke virkninger alkohol faktisk har på kroppen.
Likevel ble det litt strevende å skulle fullføre boken når det ble litt for "overtroisk" for meg med forslag om krystaller som en hjelpemetode for eksempel. Samtidig virker det også som forfatteren nesten blir dømmende om du kun er nysgjerrig på det å konsumere mindre alkohol og ikke har den lysten til å kutte det ut helt, selv om helsefarene er mange noe som blir tydelig nevnt.
Det er åpenbart at også veldig mye av boka faktisk er allmennkunnskap, som for eksempel at det å trene, være aktiv og reflektere over hvorfor man drikker og være nysgjerrig på hvordan man takler sosiale arrangementer uten alkohol.
I started reading this book with a desire to drink less and be more 'mindful,' not with a desire to quit alcohol entirely. The beginning of the book was great, with nice chapters covering the important aspects: why life seems centered around alcohol and how to navigate a social life without it.
I loved the first half of the book, and several parts in the second half that discussed mental health and the actual effects alcohol has on the body.
Still, it became a bit challenging to finish the book when it got a little too 'superstitious' for me, with suggestions like using crystals as a tool, for example. At the same time, it also seems like the author almost becomes judgmental if you are only curious about consuming less alcohol and don't have the desire to quit entirely, even though the health risks are many, which is clearly mentioned.
It is obvious that a large part of the book is actually general knowledge, such as exercising, being active, reflecting on why you drink, and being curious about how you handle social events without alcohol.
January 14, 2023
A great read for anyone curious about sobriety or cutting down on booze. It’s the perfect balance of hard facts about the impact of alcohol on individuals and society, and Millie’s personal anecdotes.
November 12, 2023
Audibooked! Really enjoyed this through sober October and really enjoying a more positive relationship with alcohol since then too. Millie writes In a really relatable way in so far as how casual alcohol misuse is and that a negative relationship with alcohol can look different than we may traditionally think. Loved it and recommend for anyone exploring their relationship with alcohol ✨
January 8, 2025
Super informative, non-judgemental book for tee-total or sober curious people. I learned a lot of interesting and important information surrounding alcohol through reading this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about going sober!
February 26, 2025
4.5 stars — This was great! A practical, candid book about Millie’s journey to sobriety & the dangers of alcohol. She provides facts & science without guilt. Her goal isn’t for everyone to be sober, but for all to be informed & mindful. She’s got a wonderful organization & plenty of resources!
February 19, 2024
As a ‘sober curious’ person, I found this to be a super fascinating read as it focuses on a millennial woman’s journey to sobriety - lots of helpful tips and tricks!
September 2, 2025
Informative af. This book has an abundance of advice for those we are looking to get sober or who are sober curious. Or if you’re not either of those a great book in general if you want to learn something new.
November 13, 2021
I struggle with non-fiction but this was such an easy read! It felt this chatting to a friend. It was relatable, informative, funny, understanding and so far from judgemental. It’s motivated me to go to events sober (wish me luck tonight!) it definitely brings to light topics that people should be discussing more!
July 28, 2022
As someone with a tricky relationship with alcohol this book was incredibly thought provoking.
Whilst dealing with grief isn't the main them of the book - I found the chapter on dealing with grief and alcohol particularly meaningful and sensitively handled. The passage "humans are built to grieve in the same way we are built to give birth and die" reasonated strongly with me.
Whilst dealing with grief isn't the main them of the book - I found the chapter on dealing with grief and alcohol particularly meaningful and sensitively handled. The passage "humans are built to grieve in the same way we are built to give birth and die" reasonated strongly with me.
January 18, 2021
As someone who has only very recently stumbled her way into sobriety.. this book could not have landed on my door step at a better time. Millie talks us through every possible hurdle we may encounter as we ditch the booze and she does so with facts, humour and tact.
I was also really shocked to read and learn about “big alcohol” (think big pharma but more pink gin and tonics) and the unethical ways in which alcohol is strategically marketed towards marginalised groups; wow, why is this information not being screamed from the roof tops?! Tip - read the book to find out.
Millie tackles everything from your first sober wedding to activism and does so in an accessible way; something that many self help authors struggle to do.
I have taken so much from this book and will continue to revisit it in future. Thank you Millie, for putting this out there and for giving me the tools I will need to navigate my new sober life. I encourage anyone who has ever questioned their feelings towards alcohol to buy this book.
I was also really shocked to read and learn about “big alcohol” (think big pharma but more pink gin and tonics) and the unethical ways in which alcohol is strategically marketed towards marginalised groups; wow, why is this information not being screamed from the roof tops?! Tip - read the book to find out.
Millie tackles everything from your first sober wedding to activism and does so in an accessible way; something that many self help authors struggle to do.
I have taken so much from this book and will continue to revisit it in future. Thank you Millie, for putting this out there and for giving me the tools I will need to navigate my new sober life. I encourage anyone who has ever questioned their feelings towards alcohol to buy this book.
April 12, 2022
A fantastic introduction to the sober lifestyle, full of excellent tips and empowering advice. This book took me from 'sober-curious' to actively tackling sobriety . I loved how relatable and accessible it was, and the book had great information on the dangers of alcohol which were realistic, without being too scary. There is also a brilliant resource section at the end.
I would say, this book is very much geared towards women in their 20's and 30's and who want to change their drinking habits, rather than someone with a more heavy dependency on alcohol, but as someone who fits in those categories , I found it immensely helpful.
The only chapter I didn't enjoy as much was the last one ("Viva la sober revolution") which is aimed at people who want to engage in sober activism- it felt out of place and too much information for someone in early sobriety.
That being said, I would recommend this book to any women who is questioning their relationship with alcohol.It is both fascinating and empowering.
4/5 stars.
I would say, this book is very much geared towards women in their 20's and 30's and who want to change their drinking habits, rather than someone with a more heavy dependency on alcohol, but as someone who fits in those categories , I found it immensely helpful.
The only chapter I didn't enjoy as much was the last one ("Viva la sober revolution") which is aimed at people who want to engage in sober activism- it felt out of place and too much information for someone in early sobriety.
That being said, I would recommend this book to any women who is questioning their relationship with alcohol.It is both fascinating and empowering.
4/5 stars.
August 30, 2024
I ordered this book in the middle of the night, mid- alcohol induced crisis, last November. I had never given a thought to sobriety before then, but that night, as I was shivering from alcohol and medication withdrawal, anxiety to the roof, I knew I had to make a change. It’s only at that moment that I found Millie and Sober Girl Society.
I will forever keep this book near and dear to my heart. It has been my bed-side table reading for the past 9 months, as I would give a few pages a shot each sober night, which were more and more numerous.
I can safely say that Millie’s sparkling personality and thorough research changed my life - for the best.
I so do recommend this precious read. ❤️
I will forever keep this book near and dear to my heart. It has been my bed-side table reading for the past 9 months, as I would give a few pages a shot each sober night, which were more and more numerous.
I can safely say that Millie’s sparkling personality and thorough research changed my life - for the best.
I so do recommend this precious read. ❤️
January 21, 2021
Having had this book on pre-order for months I was so excited when it finally came through the door. This book can only really be described as life changing!
The extremely supporitve, inclusive and informative tone, mixed with relatable personal stories makes for an eye opening read.
From tips and tricks on learning how to navigate social situations without alcohol, to understanding the real benefits and implications alcohol can have on your health, I honestly learnt so much.
For those sober curious readers amongst us not knowing where to start, this book is the perfect first step.
The extremely supporitve, inclusive and informative tone, mixed with relatable personal stories makes for an eye opening read.
From tips and tricks on learning how to navigate social situations without alcohol, to understanding the real benefits and implications alcohol can have on your health, I honestly learnt so much.
For those sober curious readers amongst us not knowing where to start, this book is the perfect first step.
January 25, 2021
This book is perfect for those exploring sobriety or who are already sober. I’m coming up to a year now, but there was a lot in here that reassured me in my decision to quit drinking. Millie made me feel a lot less isolated and covered so many important topics such as the impact of alcohol on our mind and body, as well as how to cope on nights out and have sober sex! It’s very funny and lighthearted most of the way through but also doesn’t shy away from the serious stuff, without being patronising or judgemental.
Definitely one I’ll be recommending to lots of people!
Definitely one I’ll be recommending to lots of people!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews