From Party Culture to Prevention: My Evolving Relationship with Alcohol

“At university, I was caught up in the partying culture. Drinking almost every night felt completely normal. It was how we socialised, relaxed, and celebrated, including celebrating for no reason at all. Like many students, I didn’t think twice about it. Alcohol was simply part of life, and I didn’t question the role it played in mine.

When I later decided to return to university for a Master’s degree, it opened new doors. It gave me the space to think critically about the structures that shape our lives, including power, culture, health, and behaviour, and ultimately led me into public health.

Today, part of my portfolio focuses on alcohol harm reduction strategies. It is work that means a great deal to me, not only because of my professional interest in prevention, but also because of a personal connection. My grandad was alcohol dependent, but with the right support and determination, he achieved abstinence. His story reminds me daily that recovery and change are always possible.

I am particularly interested in the social and cultural dimensions of alcohol, the power dynamics and norms that influence how, when, and why we drink. Thinkers like Foucault and Sartre have shaped how I view health behaviours, seeing them not simply as individual choices, but as actions influenced by wider systems, expectations, and forms of power.

That is why I am passionate about reshaping how we talk about alcohol, moving away from stigma and blame and towards understanding, prevention, and empowerment.

I am also proud to volunteer with Arclett, alongside Scott, where we work towards a future in which people and communities have a more balanced and honest relationship with alcohol. It is about culture change, creating spaces where people feel safe to reflect and make choices that align with their wellbeing.

My relationship with alcohol has evolved completely over the years. What began as something social and unquestioned has become both a personal and professional mission, to help build a world where fewer people are harmed by alcohol and where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”