Louis Theroux found he had a ‘borderline drink problem’

Louis Theroux discusses getting drunk on wine as a teenager

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It was the height of the coronavirus chaos, amid multiple lockdowns, when Theroux “got into something called Bulleit”. “During the pandemic, I was drinking bourbon – Kentucky bourbon,” he revealed on the True Geordie Podcast. “For some reason, January 6, the night of the insurrection, I got mullered,” he remembered.

Although Theroux didn’t “keep tabs” on the number of drinks he was having in one go, he said it was “quite a lot”.

“I don’t use the term ‘blackout’, but there were several times when I would wake up on the sofa or on the spare bed, not quite remembering the last couple of hours.”

The whole lockdown situation, for him, felt “incapacitating”. “It was horrendous,” the 52-year-old stated.

“Specifically, it was the feeling of having a young child at home… who wasn’t in school during the lockdown, while also attempting to do a job from home…

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“And you’ve got a deadline, or you’ve got someone expecting something from you, or an important call, and then you have a small child… [who’s] kicking off.”

Theroux added: “It’s a very weird and upsetting feeling, because it feels like it’s a combination of sadness and rage.”

Keen to overturn his “borderline drink problem”, in January of this year, he abstained from alcohol completely, which is known as “Dry January”.

There are numerous health benefits from abstaining from alcohol for an extended period of time.

As the Christmas season is upon us, Alcohol Change UK are highlighting why Dry January could be beneficial in the New Year.

According to research published in the British Medical Journal, a month off alcohol can help to:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce diabetes risk
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Reduce levels of cancer-related proteins in the blood.

“Being alcohol-free for 31 days shows us that we don’t need alcohol to have fun, to relax, or to socialise,” the charity said.

Alcohol consumption is linked to more than 60 health conditions, including liver disease, depression, and disability.

As the Christmas season is upon us, Alcohol Change UK are highlighting why Dry January could be beneficial in the New Year.

According to research published in the British Medical Journal, a month off alcohol can help to:

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce diabetes risk
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Reduce levels of cancer-related proteins in the blood.

“Being alcohol-free for 31 days shows us that we don’t need alcohol to have fun, to relax, or to socialise,” the charity said.

Alcohol consumption is linked to more than 60 health conditions, including liver disease, depression, and disability.

For people who are dependent on alcohol, an abrupt stop to drinking could be “very dangerous”.

Anybody experiencing any of the following symptoms when they stop drinking may be dependent on alcohol:

Seizures

  • Hand tremors
  • Sweating
  • Seeing things that are not actually real
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping.

“Speak to a GP who will be able to get help for you to reduce your drinking safely,” the charity advised.

As for Theroux, he hasn’t said whether or not he will be partaking in Dry January in 2023.

Until then, however, he is back at what he does best – making entertaining documentaries.

In the latest episode of Louis Theroux Interviews, he speaks to Dame Judi Dench.

Louis Theroux Interviews showcases on Tuesday, November 1 on BBC Two at 9.15pm.

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