The annual World Menopause Day, on Sunday 18th October 2026, offers an important opportunity to shed light on an often all too overlooked issue.
The issue we’re discussing in this article is the link between menopause and addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Whilst going through the menopause itself is a natural and inevitable part of life, the physical and emotional changes it brings can often leave many women vulnerable to increased risk of developing an addiction, often to alcohol.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of specialist advisers frequently support women who have found themselves struggling with drinking during the menopause.
For some women, what begins as a way to cope with stress, or their menopausal symptoms can quickly develop into an addiction that requires detox and rehab treatment.
In this blog, we will explore the relationship between menopause and alcohol addiction, the warning signs that you should watch out for and how professional detox and rehab can support addiction recovery.
The menopause typically occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55 and marks the end of menstruation.
It is driven by a reduction in certain hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone, leading to a range of symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, depression, brain fog and reduced bone density [1].
These changes can significantly affect the individual’s daily life and for many, menopause coincides with other pressures such as certain career demands, caring responsibilities, or relationship changes.
Together, all of these factors contribute to create a perfect storm for emotional strain and dependency on coping mechanisms. It is during this time that some women turn to alcohol and potentially other addictive substances [1].
As discussed above, some women might turn to increased consumption levels of alcohol during the menopause.
In fact, numerous studies have now proven that alcohol consumption shifts during midlife. Some women begin drinking more frequently to manage their stress, while others notice that alcohol affects them differently than it did when they were younger.
Below are a number of different reasons why women turn to alcohol during the menopause:
As discussed above, alcohol is often used to relieve a number of menopause symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disturbances and mood swings. Whilst it might offer short-term relief, this can quickly turn into a cycle.
As people attempt to relax, they might turn to drink. As people’s sleep gets worse, they might start to have a night cap. As symptoms get worse, people increase their alcohol consumption levels, and their tolerance naturally increases
As you get older, your body processes alcohol less efficiently. This is due to a number of reasons such as lower water content and changes in metabolism.
This means that alcohol has a stronger effect, even in smaller amounts. This heightened sensitivity to alcohol can lead to quicker intoxication and a higher risk of developing an addiction.
Unfortunately, the menopause also means a number of emotional challenges, including changes to the women’s personality, empty nest syndrome and increased depression and anxiety.
This is one of the main reasons why women experiencing the menopause tend to turn to alcohol in an attempt to cope.
In fact, one study carried out in 2025 examining women during the menopause found a clear link between menopause symptoms, mental health and alcohol use behaviours.
When mental health worsens, the likelihood of alcohol misuse increases, making addiction more likely without proper support and professional treatment [2].
Although alcohol might feel helpful in the moment, it often worsens menopause and mental health symptoms over time. Below are just some of the different ways alcohol can worsen your menopausal symptoms.
Once you consume alcohol it may initially make you feel drowsy. However, over time, excessive alcohol abuse interferes with your sleeping patterns.
Poor sleep is already a common menopause symptom, and drinking can make your insomnia worse.
Most people are aware that hot sweats and hot flushes are a very common symptom of the menopause. In fact, alcohol can also trigger hot flushes by dilating blood vessels, leading to sudden feelings of heat, excessive sweating and discomfort.
Rather than stabilising your mood, alcohol can increase your levels of anxiety, irritability and can even lead to depression. This is especially true during hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during the menopause.
As discussed above, menopause already increases the risk of certain health conditions. Alcohol can compound these risks, including the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, liver damage and certain cancers, such as breast cancer.
For those struggling with an addiction, these risks become even more likely.
Recognising the early warning signs that someone might be addicted to alcohol during the menopause can make a huge difference to the outcome.
You might need professional help and support if you notice some of the following warning signs and symptoms.
If you notice any of these warning signs with either yourself or someone you know and love, then a professional detox and rehab treatment might be necessary.
A detox is part of the early rehab process, which involves withdrawing from the addictive substance to allow your body to fully detox and no longer require the addictive substance in order to function.
For those experiencing an alcohol addiction, stopping suddenly without professional support can be dangerous. Withdrawal symptoms might include excessive sweating, tremors and the shakes, anxiety, depression, hallucinations and potentially seizures.
A medically supervised detox provides a safe environment to withdraw from alcohol whilst managing your symptoms safely with professional support.
This is particularly important for women who are detoxing during the menopause, as withdrawal symptoms can feel incredibly heightened during this time.
If you are hoping to recover from an addiction, then it is important to understand that a detox alone is not enough to help you to overcome your addiction fully.
During your stay in rehab, you will need to undergo therapy after your detox in order to help you to overcome the psychological side of your addiction, which often involves certain trauma and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
There is a close link between addiction and mental health issues, especially for those experiencing the menopause. This is because lots of people who attempt to cope with their mental health issues turn to addictive substances as a crutch.
Likewise, those with addiction issues to certain substances such as heroin and alcohol are much more likely to experience a mental health condition such as paranoia or anxiety, due to the chemical changes within the brain and body over a prolonged and sustained period of time.
During your time in rehab, you will be offered a wide range of therapy techniques to help you to overcome any mental health challenges.
Your doctors and medical professional will suggest a number of different therapy techniques that will work for your specific addiction and mental health issues, which is why it is important to remain open minded.
Rehab techniques often offered range from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), one to one therapy, group therapy and even sometimes holistic therapy such as art therapy.
These therapy techniques will help individuals to better understand the root causes of their addiction and develop healthier coping mechanisms going forward, should they experience a mental health issue in the future.
For women experiencing the menopause, rehab can also support the changes in hormones they will be experiencing, any sleep issues alongside common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
If you are experiencing the menopause and are concerned about how much alcohol you are drinking but do not think that you are addicted to alcohol, then there are a number of steps that you can take now that will help you to avoid becoming dependent and addicted in the future.
Some of these steps are listed and explained below for you:
It is important to understand that even small changes can improve your symptoms and reduce the risk of an addiction forming later down the line.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest barriers when it comes to women seeking help for an addiction issue is stigma. Many women feel embarrassed by their addiction, afraid of judgement, and reluctant to admit that they need professional help.
This is largely because women these days tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves to have it all, including a career, a family, a perfect relationship, a great workout routine and an aesthetic home.
This pressure tends to build up, leaving many women afraid to admit that they are struggling.
However, it is important to remember that addiction is not a personal failing. Instead, it is a complex condition that often requires professional support.
World Menopause Day is an opportunity to open up conversations surrounding addiction and encourage those struggling to seek help, without the fear of shame or stigma.
If you are worried that you or a loved one is struggling from an addiction, then you should reach out for help and support. You should consider reaching out for professional support if alcohol is affecting your day-to-day life, your health or your relationships.
You should seek help if you are struggling to cut down your consumption but cannot, or if you tend to experience withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop consuming alcohol.
Likewise, many women consume alcohol in an attempt to manage their menopause, which could be the biggest warning sign that you need professional help.
It is important to understand that early intervention can prevent addiction from worsening, and it will reduce the need for intensive rehab treatment later on.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of specialists understand the unique challenges many women face during the menopause.
We understand that a safe and medically supervised detox is needed for a safe recovery, as well as ongoing therapy and aftercare support.
We only work with trusted clinics across the UK to ensure individuals receive the right level of care for their specific situation, whether they are going through the menopause or not.
As discussed above, menopause is a significant time in a woman’s life, but it shouldn’t be faced alone, and it definitely should not lead to alcohol addiction.
Whilst alcohol might seem like a temporary solution to difficult menopausal symptoms, it often makes things worse over time.
Understanding this link is the first step when it comes to making healthier choices during the menopause.
If you or someone you know and love is struggling with alcohol during the menopause, then it is important to understand that professional help is available. With the right detox and rehab support, recovery is entirely possible.
[1] https://menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Menopause-Support-Booklet-V2.pdf
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an advisor with more than 20 years in the field. His knowledge covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an advisor and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
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