The new drinking dilemma

A glass of wine to unwind, prosecco brunches with friends, “wine o’clock” memes on Instagram — drinking has become woven into modern womanhood. But beneath the gloss and humour, a quiet crisis is emerging. Across the UK, more women are drinking heavily and seeking help for alcohol dependence than ever before.

Is alcohol consumption increasing in women?

According to sources, the rate of women consuming alcohol is catching up to men. In previous years, the gap between men and women was much higher – NPR reports that the gap was 3 to 1, whereas now it has been reported that the gap is closing, with figures more like 1 to 1. This is also on a global scale.

Aaron White, a senior scientific adviser at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states:

"We have a real concern that while there might be fewer people drinking, many of those who are drinking might be doing so specifically to try to cope," White says. "And that is problematic."

• One study found alcohol-related visits to the emergency room from 2006 to 2014 increased 70% for women, compared with 58% for men. Another paper reported that the rate of alcohol-related cirrhosis from 2009 to 2015 rose 50% for women, compared with 30% for men.
• Average consumption among women is around 9 units per week, and roughly 1 in 7 women exceed the Chief Medical Officers’ “low risk” guideline of 14 units a week.
• Women now make up 39% of alcohol-related hospital admissions in England.
• In the UK, 26% of women are estimated to engage in binge drinking (defined as six or more drinks in one session) at least once a month — the highest rate globally among women according to an OECD comparison.
• In 2023, England recorded 151,594 potential years of life lost in females due to alcohol-related conditions, equivalent to 533 per 100,000 women.
• In 2024, 15% of women in England were drinking more than the recommended 14 units a week, compared to 32% of men.

Why the shift? Cultural pressures, mental health and female-specific factors

1. Changing social norms and the “drink to belong” culture

Women today often face subtle (and not so subtle) pressure to drink alcohol in social contexts — whether it’s work dinners, “wellness” wine nights, Instagram culture, or the myth that cocktails are “girly.” In many professions (media, hospitality, creative industries) drinking is part of the social currency. For some women, refusing a drink can feel socially awkward or exclusionary and lead to sober shaming.

Jakana Rita, BACP Therapist at Rehabs UK notes:

“I have seen many factors such as pressures of sole responsibility of both childcare and managing full time work with little or no help outside of this. I see more women isolated due to these circumstances and therefore unable to affectively access help.”

Jakana Rita BACP Therapist at Rehabs UK

“Societal pressure plays in women’s drinking habits: I have worked with shame patterns of thinking which leads to hiding alcohol use as well as fear of judgment and fear of consequences normally linked to being a mother.”

Isabelle Hawkins, who is in recovery, and a previous guest on the Altered Attitudes Podcast, adds:

“I was working in the advertising industry, which is a very social, party-heavy industry. … there was an unspoken pressure to keep up with the drinking culture in order to be accepted.”

Isabelle Hawkins - National Diversity Award Winner 2025

“When I first started telling people I was in recovery, I was often met with disbelief. ‘But you’re young,’ they’d say, or ‘You don’t look like someone with a problem.’”

So between work culture, social expectations for women to both perform and also to appear composed, and the invisibility of “hidden” drinking, cultural pressure seems a strong contributing factor.

2. Stress, burnout and mental health

High rates of stress, anxiety, and burnout (especially among women juggling work, home, caregiving roles) can push some towards using alcohol as a coping mechanism. Drinking “just to relax” can gradually escalate into reliance.

• 48% of employees have used addictive behaviours to cope with professional stress, and 40% say workplace culture contributes. Work-related stress, depression, or anxiety caused 16.4 million working days to be lost in Great Britain in 2023/24.
• 74% of people have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope.
• 46% reported that they ate too much or ate unhealthily due to stress.
• 29% reported that they started drinking or increased their drinking, and 16% reported that they started smoking or increased their smoking.

3. Co-occurring mental health conditions and neurodiversity

Women with ADHD, anxiety, depression, or trauma histories may have a higher vulnerability to turning to alcohol as self-medication. The research on ADHD and substance misuse is growing — impulsivity or emotional dysregulation can increase risk of misuse.

• Adults with ADHD have a higher prevalence of substance abuse disorder (15.2%) compared to those without ADHD (5.6%).
• Between 33% and 44% of young people with ADHD experience alcohol misuse or dependence, research shows.
• People with ADHD are 5 to 10 times more likely to have alcohol addiction than those without ADHD. About 25% of adults receiving treatment for alcohol and substance abuse also have ADHD.

Jakana, Therapist, says:

“I am seeing an increase in women coming to me who have experienced sexual trauma and abuse in relationships who tell me they started to use alcohol as a way of coping.”

“Co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression, which are disproportionately underdiagnosed in women and may lead to self-medication with alcohol. I have seen women who have been diagnosed later in life and ADHD was never picked up until an alcohol problem had already developed. I have noticed higher rates of GAD diagnosis in these women as well which they say they also use alcohol to self medicate.”

Isabelle, in recovery and diagnosed with ADHD:

“Looking back, my undiagnosed ADHD played a significant role in my drinking. … I struggled to cope with workload, prioritise tasks, and manage the chaos of daily life. … Alcohol felt like a way to soothe that storm.”

Trauma (sexual, relational, childhood) appears repeatedly as a precipitant: women use alcohol to numb, to escape, or to cope with overwhelming emotional load. When conditions like ADHD or anxiety are undiagnosed or untreated, alcohol often becomes a substitute coping strategy.

4. Targeted marketing and “pink drinks”

Alcohol marketing increasingly tailors products to women: lighter flavours, pretty bottles, low-alcohol versions packaged as “healthier” alternatives. Such subtle positioning can contribute to social acceptability.

5. The “closing gender gap”

Historically, men drank far more than women — but over recent decades that gap has narrowed dramatically. In earlier birth cohorts men might be 2–3 times more likely to misuse alcohol than women; now those ratios are much closer.

Jenny Esmas (main photo), CQC Registered Manager at Nest Healthcare, a partner of Rehabs UK, says this trend is undeniable:

“We’ve noticed a clear increase in the number of working-age women seeking treatment for alcohol addiction… What’s significant is that … these women are reaching out earlier than before, recognising the impact alcohol is having not only on their health, but also on their performance at work, relationships, and overall wellbeing.”

Women’s bodies aren’t men’s: female-specific risks even at lower levels

• Women have a higher vulnerability to physical harms at lower alcohol consumption levels than men: liver disease, heart problems, brain-volume damage etc., often emerging earlier. Even moderate drinking is linked with increased breast cancer risk in women, and reproductive health impacts: menstrual cycle disruption, fertility issues, potential Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and earlier menopause.

Jakana:

“I believe women suffer physical consequences more due to biological factors such as having a smaller liver.”

Isabelle experienced:

“I noticed very early on how quickly the obsession to drink took hold. … The physical and emotional effects also escalated at an alarming speed. Panic attacks and chronic anxiety developed very quickly … by the age of 19 I was already experiencing withdrawal symptoms … morning drinking …”

Expert tips: when to reach out

• Notice your “why.” If alcohol is a tool to calm anxiety, mask stress, or cope with loneliness, it’s time to check in with yourself.
• Reach out early. Support services, such as Rehabs UK, can help you explore safe and non-judgmental treatment options.
• Reframe self-care. As Jenny says, “Asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s self-love.”

Advice for women who may need help seeking recovery:

“My advice to women — and their loved ones — is simple: please don’t wait,” Jenny says. “I grew up in a family affected by alcoholism and lost both my father and brother to it. That experience drives my belief that asking for help is one of the bravest, most loving things you can do for yourself and your family.

“Alcohol may feel like a short-term solution, but real strength comes from choosing healthier ways to cope — exercise, mindfulness, journaling, nature, community and peers. Self-care isn’t indulgent; it’s essential.

“You are not your addiction. You are your potential. Seek help, rediscover your worth, and build a future filled with strength, balance, and joy.”

Isabelle's reflection:

“For me … healing really happened in community … showing up for myself each day … asking Why am I feeling this way? … addiction doesn’t discriminate … struggling with alcohol doesn’t make you a failure or a bad person ‒ you are not alone.”

Jakana’s advice:

“Access help early and be open to group work where you can find like-minded people … building healthier social lives.”

Recovery is within reach. At Rehabs UK, we provide a range of support services and treatments, including aftercare for those overcoming alcoholism and online family support groups for loved ones offering care and understanding.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol please do not hesitate to contact our fully trained Treatment Advisors for a free assessment.