I’d drink 2 bottles of wine & vodkas in a night – docs told me to quit after shock diagnosis, says Briony May Williams
ESCAPE To The Country host and GBBO star Briony May Williams, 40, on finding joy after becoming sober.
Growing up, alcohol wasn’t a thing at home. We never had it in our house in Bristol.
But when I reached my late teens, I started to go out binge-drinking, and then alcohol went on to be the main part of my social life.
I’d have a couple of glasses of wine midweek, and on a Friday night I could polish off two bottles plus vodkas, and would sometimes be sick before getting a kebab on the way home.
Then I’d do it all again the following night.
Probably 90% of my biggest life regrets stem from situations when I was drunk.
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Before meeting my husband Steve [a software engineer, 45] 15 years ago, there were times I would sleep with people I shouldn’t have, because my inhibitions were down.
Once, I lost some really important papers during a night out after work.
The next morning, I was beside myself, calling the bars I’d visited and the taxi company I’d used to get home.
Luckily, I found them, but I felt foolish and humiliated.
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Just after my alcohol-heavy 39th birthday in November 2023, I was taken to hospital suffering from chest pains, which turned out to be a stomach ulcer caused by the acid in alcohol.
I was told to stop drinking booze, fizzy drinks and caffeine, as well as vaping, which I’d started in lockdown.
I quit them all overnight, and about two weeks in, I started to feel better.
Satisfying and vibrant
Within a month, I thought: “This feels like a really positive step.”
Not long after that, I went to a friend’s 40th birthday party in Manchester and sipped water all night.
Realising it was possible to still have a good time when I wasn’t drinking was a game-changer.
Now that I’m sober, my social life feels more satisfying and vibrant.
Rather than meeting at a pub, I’ll join friends at a roller disco or a vintage fair, or I might do a pole-dancing class.
Naturally, I don’t see certain friends as often, because they still enjoy going out drinking, and I’ve noticed some don’t invite me so much, which feels sad
Briony
Last year, I went to the Royal Television Society Awards and sat next to TV presenters Melvin Odoom and Gaby Roslin, who I discovered also don’t drink.
We had the best afternoon without a drop of alcohol.
I also went to my first sober event recently for Breast Cancer UK and made some real connections with incredible women.
But the best bit? The next morning, I remembered it all!
Naturally, I don’t see certain friends as often, because they still enjoy going out drinking, and I’ve noticed some don’t invite me so much, which feels sad.
'I’ve lost 3st'
I will never judge people for having a drink, because a couple of years ago, that was me.
But if someone gives up alcohol or simply drinks less, perhaps because they’ve been inspired by me, that’s great.
It’s why I started my Gloriously Sober Instagram page in January to share the joy I’ve discovered since waving goodbye to alcohol, even my old-favourite rosé!
Since stopping drinking, I’ve lost 3st and gone from a size 16-18 to a 10-12.
I’m no longer a grotbag on a Sunday. I’ve got energy, I want to get up to do things and engage with them, rather than lying on the sofa and watching TV
Briony
Not only is that due to giving up alcohol, but also because I’m making better food choices – I’ve not had a McDonald’s since!
My mental health is so much better, too. I’ve had depression since my early 20s and have been prescribed antidepressants ever since, but used to experience profound lows after a night out.
Drinking numbed me a bit and took away the stress – until the next day, when my depression would feel 10 times worse.
Alcohol support
If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a drinking problem there is help available. Find out the many ways that you can access support.
- Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
- is a free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.
- offer support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they're still drinking or not. Alateen is part of Al-Anon and can be attended by 12 to 17-year-olds who are affected by another person's drinking, usually a parent.
- is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.
- is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and local support groups.
- The provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned about their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline.
- groups help people decide whether they have a problem, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Biggest reward is relationships
These days, if I’m low, I ask myself: “Why am I feeling low? Is anything triggering it?”
Knowing the mood is not rooted in drinking means I need to adjust something else in my life.
If someone is worried about their alcohol intake, my advice is to acknowledge the concern.
Or, if you’ve thought about quitting, look into it and think: “I’m stopping drinking,” as it’s less negative than: “I’m giving up alcohol.”
Then write a list of the positives you might gain.
For me, the biggest rewards are in my relationships, not least with Steve and our nine-year-old daughter Nora.
I’m no longer a grotbag on a Sunday. I’ve got energy, I want to get up to do things and engage with them, rather than lying on the sofa and watching TV.
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Knowing I’ll never have a hangover is a big win.
- Watch Briony hosting Escape To The Country, weekdays, 3pm, BBC1. Follow her @Brionymaybakes and @Gloriouslysober.