The month of December used to be my own personal endurance test. For 30 years, the Yuletide ­jollies started at the end of November, when my corporate events business had its Christmas party, and raged through till New Year’s Day.

While the rest of the year I’d typically get through a bottle of a wine a night, during December that easily doubled. I was always either drunk or hungover.

But last year, far from knocking back morning glasses of prosecco under the excuse of ‘Go on, it’s Christmas’, I began December sat in a circle at a rehab centre, having finally accepted that I had a drinking problem.

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Now 53, I’ve been sober for 13 months. But many women like me – with ­children and successful careers – will still be indulging beyond what’s good for them this festive period.

My job has always involved networking, which meant plenty of post-work drinks. Back then, I was what you’d call a high-functioning drinker.

But in 2017, when my husband Andy had a heart attack, the trauma of trying to resuscitate him before the ambulance arrived saw me turn to the bottle with renewed vigour. He ended up in a rehabilitation centre for three years.

In April 2020, he got Covid and passed away.

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To cope with the grief, I threw everything into my business and raising our son Finn, now 17. Alcohol became my solace.

Last year, Nicky Wake began December sat in a circle at a rehab centre, having finally accepted that she had a drinking problem

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By October last year, I was even drinking at breakfast and having a mini bottle of wine in the car on my way to work. I was permanently anxious.

W hen about to set off for New York for a work trip, I hit rock bottom. I could barely walk and was convinced if I got on the plane, I wouldn’t get off it alive. I had to finally face that I was an alcoholic.

Going into rehab for a 32-day stay came the day before my son’s 17th birthday. But Finn said that getting sober was the best birthday present I could give him. He was fed up with me panickedly asking him to smell me to see if I reeked of booze before work.

Now, with over a year of sobriety under my belt, I’m viewing the Christmas period with fresh eyes. Before, I loved the fact that booze was everywhere. Now, I know it’s a slippery slope. Here are the signs that show you may be an addict hiding in plain sight…

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ADVENT CALENDARS

A wine or gin advent calendar is the perfect excuse to untwist the cap of a mini ­bottle every day in December. If you gravitate towards the distillery or vineyard calendars over good old chocolate ones, as I once did, have a think about your habits.

LET’S PARTY!

No one thinks it odd if you suggest a festive get-together, and I’d use ‘client relations meetings’ as an excuse to book Christmas lunches – with wine and fizz – every single working day throughout December.

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In every single photo of me posted online during Decembers past, I am holding a glass of red wine, writes Nicky

Then there was the ­senior team lunch, the board director lunch, drinks in the office…

If you’re scrabbling for excuses to flash the company card, consider if your motivations are truly professional.

TELL-TALE SIGNS

In every single photo of me posted online during Decembers past, I am holding a glass of red wine. You, too, might be shocked by how many pictures show you clutching a drink.

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FESTIVE MARKETS

There are ten ­Christmas markets in Manchester, where I live. I’d make the excuse of saying I was buying gifts, when I actually headed straight to the bars to enjoy some eggnog.

If you, like me, always choose the markets over the regular shops – where it’s not acceptable to glug mulled wine at 11am – just know that there are some excellent alcohol-free options available.

SECRET ‘HIC’ SANTA?

Colleagues clearly had my (Christmas) card marked, because every year for the office Secret Santa, I’d receive wine. And it goes without saying that the recipient of my present got a bottle of fizz.

So if you find yourself in the same situation, it might be time for a careful think.

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DRY JANUARY

I would cut off mid-sentence anyone who discussed Dry January, calling them a party pooper. In my mind it was for insecure losers who couldn’t keep up with party girls like me.

If you shout down any suggestion of sobriety, then it’s time to stop and wonder if it’s coming from a place of panic at the thought of living ­without alcohol.

• Nicky Wake is the founder of the Sober Love dating app (soberlove.app).
• As told to SAMANTHA BRICK