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Privacy NoticeThanks to social media, the “sober curious” movement has gained momentum in recent years. In contrast to the binge-drinking culture of old, Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly rejecting alcohol. According to research by consumer insights agency Canvas8, just 27% of UK Gen-Zers say they drink alcohol, compared to 47% of Boomers. But that’s not the whole story. Social media is awash with newly sober women in their forties and fifties, too. So what’s driving them to banish the wine o’clock lifestyle? This midlife stage comes with countless challenges, such as perimenopause, empty nest syndrome, career pressure, caring for elderly parents – none of which are helped by a wine-induced bout of hangxiety. For those who have entered perimenopause, common symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats are known to be worsened by alcohol. There’s also the impact on mental health to consider. Many women will experience anxiety and insomnia, which alcohol can exacerbate.
More and more women are considering whether it’s time for a stint in sobriety
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Paula Briggs, a consultant at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, points out there could be other health implications during perimenopause. “If your liver function is affected, that could affect how you metabolise everything [including alcohol]. It might affect cholesterol levels as well. And alcohol can affect these levels,” she says. More generally, women are more likely than men to be adversely affected by alcohol. Drink for drink, women absorb more alcohol than men – even more so as we age – and we’re more likely to develop conditions such as liver disease as well as suffer from cognitive decline. In the immediate term, there’s the hangover – and for most, they’re far harder to deal with in your latter years. For those who want to go teetotal, it’s never been easier to try. With more and more alcohol-free bars emerging and 0% beers in every supermarket, there’s a cultural shift away from the stigma once associated with sobriety. Thinking about cutting back? Read our expert tips… Have a conversation “An important part of understanding your own relationship with alcohol is being able to talk about it,” says Annabelle Bonus, Drinkaware’s director of research, policy and strategy. Annabelle suggests confiding in loved ones if you think your drinking has changed. “It can be quite hard to identify yourself because changes happen over time. It’s your friends and family, they can see the change.”
The first step in understanding if you need to make a change is being honest with yourself
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Understand your triggers “Look out for when you’re drinking to cope. There’s a clear association between that and risky drinking. It’s about becoming more aware of what your triggers are and what you might be able to do instead,” says Annabelle. Considering ‘alcohol-free alternatives or even low-alcohol’ are great ways to dip your feet into sober waters, too, and distractions can help. “Spending time with friends, exercising and making a plan to help you stick to your goals is key,” she adds. Be aware of your limit Know your personal limit, as well as the official guidelines. Everyone’s tolerance level is different, so work out yours, warns Annabelle. “Alcohol is associated with seven types of cancer, liver disease and heart disease. But it’s easy to reduce your risks by being aware of the low-risk guidelines of 14 units a week, which is about six or seven glasses of wine. It’s about planning your drinking and making sure you’re aware of long-term impacts,” she says.
Lean on a support system of friends and family if you think it will help you on your journey
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Think about what you’ll gain Reduced, or no, alcohol intake brings a multitude of benefits to your physical and mental health. There are the obvious ones, like having better sleep, avoiding those dreaded hangovers – including hangxiety – increased mental clarity, and a general less-lethargic feeling. But what about those unexpected pros that come with ditching drink? Annabelle adds that “better skin, weight loss and lower blood pressure” can also come into effect. Be kind to yourself Don’t beat yourself up – even those with a genuine interest in trying out sobriety will waver for lots of reasons, including social activities and celebrations. “I don’t think anyone should be made to feel bad for their choices as we are all motivated in different ways. And it’s about supporting each other and being able to talk about it,” says Annabelle. “It’s really normal to have periods of sobriety in your life and periods where you’re drinking a bit more.”
Victoria Emes realised that her ‘normal’ relationship with alcohol was changing after the death of her dad
(Image: Victoria Emes)
Victoria Emes is a content creator who lives in London with her husband Rob and their two children, aged seven and four. “I had a pretty ‘normal’ relationship with drinking – sharing a bottle of wine with my husband once or twice a week. Then having the occasional blowout, where I’d hate myself a bit the next day. But alcohol occupied a lot of my mental space. I’d think, ‘It’s almost the weekend, so I can have a drink’ or, ‘I better not drink tonight because I can’t be hungover.’ When I did drink, I’d wake at 3am with palpitations and have terrible anxiety for the next couple of days. I first decided to give up about five years ago, but never stuck with it. It wasn’t enough of a problem for me to feel like I needed to stop. Then in May 2022 my dad, who had leukaemia, was given a terminal diagnosis and my drinking became a coping mechanism. One night, I poured a gin and got really upset. I thought, ‘I’m not going to be able to deal with him dying in this state of mind. I have to stop.’ The first month was tough, but I always had an alcohol-free alternative in the house and there’s lots of support online. I run a community called the Rebel Mums Club, which has been amazing. I lost my dad last year. At Christmas, I longed to drink and escape the pain. But I didn’t. Now, I’m 10 months sober and my anxiety has almost completely gone. My sleep has improved hugely and I’m a way better parent. Plus, I’ve been more focused in my career. I’m more confident and look younger, too. A win all-round!” For personalised advice and tips, try the Drinking Check at drinkaware.co.uk Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnReal LifeHealth
