The Sober Diaries: ‘Alcohol is part and parcel of work culture’

Ms Parker says that she moved to London in her 20s and worked in investment banking and then for an oil company, moving between the City of London and Canary Wharf.

“There was very much a work hard, play hard culture,” she said.

“You would work with people and then you would go and drink with them as well.”

She adds: “It started affecting me more when I got to my 40s. My hangovers were getting worse and I noticed my anxiety levels were getting worse as well.”

Ms Parker says: “People may have not had a problem with the amount they drank in their 20s, but suddenly they’re in their 40s and they’re struggling.

“I think the best thing to do is ask yourself the question: ‘Am I drinking more than I want?’”

Her goal is to help people feel in control of their drinking – whether that’s through sobriety or by moderating their intake.

“If you plan to go out and have one drink and you end up having a bottle, then you’re drinking more than you want.”