7 Years Alcohol-Free: What I Gained – and Why It Matters After Menopause
Tuesday, 13 May 2025 marks 7 years since I liberated myself from alcohol.
That decision which felt huge, daunting, and a bit lonely at the time turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done...for my health, my mindset, and my relationships.
What began as a terrifying leap into the unknown has blossomed into the single most transformative health decision of my adult life. I had no idea how much invisible weight I was carrying. How alcohol was quietly affecting my sleep, mood, and sense of self. I thought my anxiety, fatigue, and mood swings were just "who I was". It turns out, much of it was being silently amplified by booze all along.
The Culture I Grew Up In
I came of age in 90s Britain, where the ladette culture was in full swing. Being able to down pints and "keep up with the lads" wasn't just accepted, it was celebrated as female empowerment “Girl Power”! Even now, alcohol is everywhere: brunch with bottomless prosecco, parenting memes about wine o’clock, messages that you ‘deserve a drink’ after a long day.
It’s so normalised that if you don’t drink, you’re the weird one.
But here's what experience has taught me: Just because something is common doesn't mean it's serving you (or anyone, but that's a discussion for another day).
This truth becomes even more significant during perimenopause (which you probably don’t know you’re in) and menopause.
I’m not blaming anyone - it was the air we breathed. But it’s okay to question that air now.
Alcohol and Menopause: The Hidden Saboteur
At 42, I wasn’t expecting early menopause. And I certainly didn’t realise how alcohol was quietly making everything worse:
Hot flushes: Alcohol dilates blood vessels, making those sudden heat waves more frequent and intense
Sleep disruption: It might help you fall asleep faster, but it ruins the quality of rest. That 3am wake-up? Not a coincidence.
Mood instability: The temporary dopamine hit from wine gives way to deeper lows as your brain chemistry adjusts
Hormonal chaos: Alcohol stresses the liver making balance even harder.
Brain fog: Already dealing with hormonal shifts? Alcohol just piles on more cognitive confusion. I used to believe that evening glass of prosecco was my well-deserved stress reliever. The reality? It was taking far more than it gave: stealing my mental clarity, draining my energy, amplifying my anxiety, and robbing me of genuine joy.
What I've Gained Since Going Alcohol-Free
My journey didn't begin with a dramatic "rock bottom." It started with curiosity while supporting my husband through his own breakdown and questioning of alcohol use. At that point, I hadn't made the connection between my own persistent anxiety and those daily glasses of wine/gin/prosecco. I simply wanted to feel better and seven years later, I truly do.
Here's what I never expected to gain:
Emotional stability: The rollercoaster of highs and lows has levelled into something steadier and more manageable. That Sunday night dread and daily morning shame spiral? Completely gone.
Restorative sleep: Instead of the notorious 3 AM wake-ups with racing thoughts, I now experience genuine rest. I wake feeling refreshed rather than just less tired.
Authentic confidence: There's a profound difference between alcohol-induced boldness and genuine self-assurance. Without the numbing effect, I've learned to trust my instincts and honour my needs.
Physical resilience: My strength training has improved dramatically. I can lift heavier, move with more precision, and recover faster between workouts. Alcohol was silently undermining my fitness goals.
Deeper connections: The most surprising discovery? Every emotion – joy, laughter, vulnerability, comfort is possible without alcohol. In fact, these feelings become richer and more authentic without the booze filter.
If You're Curious About Cutting Back
You don't need to commit to forever or label yourself. Many people I work with are simply exploring a different relationship with alcohol perhaps reducing consumption, taking an extended break, or just questioning patterns they've never examined before.
If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause and consistently waking up tired, wired, anxious or low, consider this: it might not be just hormones. It might be what's in your glass.
Your Next Steps
If anything in this post resonates with you:
Get curious, not judgemental about your relationship with alcohol
Try a 30-day experiment to see how different you might feel
Find community support whether online or in person
Read Quit Lit I’ve got a list of books I recommend here
Document changes in your sleep, mood, and energy
Be gentle with yourself throughout the process
Final Thoughts
I'm not here to preach or convert. I'm sharing because seven years ago, I felt alone in my questions about alcohol. Today, I want you to know you're not alone if you're feeling the same uncertainty. And if you’re finding yourself regularly questioning your drinking, counting units, or justifying it, it might be time to reconsider your relationship with it. That questioning is a sign of awareness, not failure. If you are adding up the units, doing mental arithmetic that justifies what and when you’re drinking, you probably need to rethink. It is hard, I totally understand that. It might take weeks, months or years to make those changes.
What our culture portrays as an essential social lubricant and stress reliever may actually be intensifying the very difficulties you're trying to escape especially during the hormonal transitions of midlife.
Seven years ago, I thought I was sacrificing something essential. What I've discovered instead is liberation, clarity, and a vitality I never knew was possible. The life waiting on the other side of that wine glass turned out to be infinitely richer than I could have imagined.
Want to chat privately? I offer free consultations where we can talk honestly about where you're at, without pressure or judgement. Whether it's about alcohol, menopause, strength training (or all three) I’m here to help.
