In 2018, after years of excessive binge-drinking, embarrassing/bordering-on-dangerous antics and more bottomless brunches than I care to remember (read: can’t remember) I decided to quit alcohol in a bid to rescue my rapidly declining mental health.

Seven months into my sobriety, I set up Sober Girl Society which is now the largest platform online for sober and sober curious women.

Yet, despite an 8,000 strong jump in followers to the SGS Instagram page during Dry January alone (taking us to over 125K) and recent reports showing that more and more millennials than ever are giving up booze, we still can’t shake the idea that our friendships won’t be the same without it.

My most frequently asked questions still include: how will I tell my friends I don’t want to drink? Will they think I’m boring? Will they still like/want to be friends with me? And ultimately – will our friendships still be the same? The short answer is no – it will be better. Because after three years of attending everything from hen parties to festivals sober, I can categorically attest to the fact that the absence of booze has only helped to strengthen my sisterly bonds.

Firstly, my friends can revel in the fact that they never have to try and locate me after I’ve made mysterious new pals in the smoking area. Secondly, they also never have to convince our Uber driver that I’m actually not vomiting all over the back seat of their Toyota Prius. Thirdly though, and most importantly, I am a much better friend in general.

The first question I ask at baby showers is “How can I help?” rather than “Will there be any Prosecco?”. I never cancel plans from being too hungover and I am always present in both attendance and conversation. Once a great instigator of allegedly profound drunken chats, I now realise actually listening to friends is a much better way to help them than just talking over them in what can only be described as an inebriated garble.

When did wine become the foundation of female friendships and can we bond without it?