Susan is an author and mental health advocate, specifically relating to alcohol issues and alcohol dependence. Following university, she had a successful career in marketing in the pharmaceutical industry and was then an entrepreneur with her own company, before succumbing to a serious drinking problem. This escalated to a life-threatening situation, despite many attempts at familiar interventions including counselling, rehab and Alcoholics Anonymous.

After her recovery, she wrote the book ‘From Rock Bottom To Sober Forever’, which has provided inspiration and hope to thousands of people and has been praised for the exceptional account of the stealth-like progression of addiction.

She is committed to helping anyone who is struggling with alcohol, and to helping organisations develop practical and non-judgemental resources and support for employees who may be concerned about their drinking. She uses her personal experience to educate the wider population about the reality of the impact that alcohol can have on a person, and is passionate about breaking down the stereotypes and removing the stigma associated with alcohol dependence, which can deter people from seeking help.

Susan contributed to the House of Lords Commission on Alcohol Harm and has written blogs for the Alcohol Health Alliance and Alcohol Change UK. She is a frequent guest on alcohol related podcasts and recently hosted a meeting for Public Policy Exchange where MPs and experts on alcohol harm discussed alcohol dependence and misuse. She was also recognised as a ‘Woman of The Year’ in 2020.

Earlier this year Susan wrote and published Sober Code. Sober Code was created to help sober coaches and sober communities provide the best possible support they can, by offering resources and guidance around alcohol dependence, so that they know they are not working with people who need more specialist treatment. This allows them to focus on the fantastic work they do, whilst helping to protect those whose alcohol dependence makes them vulnerable. Sober Code is also there to help anyone who wants help with sobriety, with guidance about choosing a sober coach. 

The response to this has been fantastic. Sober Code has not only been welcomed by many Sober Coaches, but some have said that it is long overdue.

My Sessions

Overcoming the taboo: Empowering the workplace to address addiction head-on

Thursday 14th September 2023, 16:00 - 16:45 BST