To answer this massive question, Ollie and Cess draw upon their own insights and the straight-talking wisdom of interviewee Gary Mairs – aka sobernsound ("sweary sobriety mentor") on Instagram.

Gary's catchphrase for his 33,000+ followers is "get to midnight and go again". He attended AA in April 2014, but struggled with the idea of supplicating to God, or a higher power.

Yet, through meditation and no small amount of determination, Gary beat the booze. Here, he discusses the difference between "survival sobriety" – which is when, in the early days, you just try and get through the days and weeks without a drink – and "emotional sobriety", and that comes later.

There is plenty of excellent advice for Upper Bottoms – and those who might be falling deeper.

Booze News items:

The Independent via MSN: Denzel Washington opens up about past struggles with drugs and alcohol: ‘I’ve done a lot of damage’ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/denzel-washington-opens-up-about-past-struggles-with-drugs-and-alcohol-i-ve-done-a-lot-of-damage/ar-AA1uoBrA)

Wales Online: 'I turned my addictions from drugs to furniture and made a thriving business’ (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/i-turned-my-addictions-from-drugs-to-furniture-and-made-a-thriving-business/ar-AA1ul3I8)

The Caterer: Customers are drinking less – how can I balance the booze on my menu? (https://www.thecaterer.com/indepth/how-can-i-serve-up-a-sober-christmas)

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