Behind the glass: Midlife women, alcohol and support in North Yorkshire

Alcohol related harm remains a significant public health issue and was one of the reasons Healthwatch North Yorkshire decided to explore this topic.

Some of the evidence that informed this work includes:

• In 2023, there were 10,473 alcohol specific deaths registered in the United Kingdom, the highest number on record, according to the Office for National Statistics.
• Women in midlife drink more frequently than younger age groups and can face greater health risks because of hormonal and physical changes, according to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities: Women and alcohol.
• Women account for 39% of alcohol related hospital admissions in England, according to the Institute for Alcohol Studies.
• In North Yorkshire, alcohol related hospital admissions among women aged 40 to 64 are above the national average in several areas, according to Department of Health & Social Care information.

Despite this, the voices and experiences of midlife women are often missing from conversations about alcohol and support. We wanted to better understand women's experiences and identify what support could make the biggest difference.

Our report, Behind the glass: Midlife women, alcohol and support in North Yorkshire,  is based on the views of 293 women aged 40 to 60 from across North Yorkshire who completed a survey, alongside interviews, group discussions and a therapeutic photography project.

What we heard

Many women described alcohol as part of socialising, relaxation and everyday life. However, others spoke about using alcohol to cope with stress, poor sleep, menopause symptoms, trauma, loneliness and other pressures.

The report found that drinking habits often change during midlife. Drinking became more frequent among women aged 50 to 60, while heavier drinking on a single occasion was more common among women aged 40 to 44 and those in perimenopause.

Around 45% of women who took part were drinking at levels associated with increased health risk.

Many women who reduced or stopped drinking reported benefits including improved sleep, better mood, more energy and greater confidence.

Access to support

Women told us they want support that is easy to find, flexible and available before problems reach crisis point.

Many women said they were unsure what support was available locally or how to access it. Common barriers included stigma, fear of judgement, work and caring responsibilities, travel difficulties and concerns about privacy.

Women preferred support that was discreet, flexible and available in different ways, including online, by phone and face to face. Many also highlighted the importance of women-only support and informal community spaces.

Women's experiences show that alcohol use during midlife is often linked to wider issues such as menopause, stress, sleep and caring responsibilities. We hope these findings help shape support that is easier to access, more responsive to women's needs and available before problems reach crisis point.

Read the report

Behind the glass: Midlife women, alcohol and support in North Yorkshire