‘Cheers to drinking less, but better’

For years, journalist Toni Jones knew she had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, but rather than quit, she’s found a way to enjoy it in moderation

A binge drinker from the age of 14, I was addicted to alcohol for most of my adult life

Anyone who was out with me at Pub in the Park last month probably doesn’t think I do anything in moderation. But my memories of that event, as well as the others when I had a drink (or two) this summer are shiny, happy, homeby-midnight affairs. A far cry from the days when I’d be blackout drunk but still stalking London with strangers for an after-after party (and more booze) at 5am, which were – I’m not proud to say – most Fridays for a couple of years not so long ago.

A binge drinker from the age of 14, I was addicted to alcohol for most of my adult life, a habit no doubt heavily shaped by my life-and-soul dad who started boozing heavily when I was a toddler and didn’t stop until he had partied his way into an early grave when I was in my early 30s. Despite my selfdestructive tendencies, I managed to create a good life (a great career, a brilliant husband and friends), but I used booze – always – to numb out and fit in, and for well over two decades I’d use any opportunity to have a drink: a party, the weekend, good news, bad news, no news, fancy flight, delayed trains, the morning after and the night before something really important, like a major job interview.

Now – aged 45 – I’m a moderate drinker. I am! This sounds like a rather dull way to announce huge life progress, which is that I can take or leave booze. This is something that has come about as a result of several years of far from dull self-reflection, inner work and getting “curious” about all parts of my life, including my relationship with alcohol and whether total abstinence was the only way to change it. Turns out, it wasn’t…