Woman holding help sign, wine glass nearby; seeking alcohol recovery

Women Dying From Alcoholism: A Growing Public Health Concern

John Last updated: June 4, 2025

Why women are dying from alcoholism

A study by ONS suggests a rise in the number of women dying from alcoholism. Despite a downward overall trend in the number of alcohol-related deaths in England and Scotland, the number of deaths among women born in the 1970s has “disproportionately increased” since the mid-2000s, the study found.

The number of women dying from alcoholism increased in 2017 by 1.2%.

One of the suggestions for this finding is that it may be an outlet for stress. A lot of women are talking about needing ‘me time’. Women are working, they’re taking care of children, they’re exhausted, and they need some outlet. So having a few glasses of wine does it for them.

Having a career may encourage women to drink more in another way, too. Managing a job can be stressful, but the environment may also provide women with more opportunities to drink: at client dinners, networking happy hours, celebratory gatherings, and other get-togethers.

Another factor is that brands have noticed more women are interested in relaxing over a glass of wine and are targeting them more aggressively as potential customers, according to a Public Health Institute and Institute of Alcohol Studies report. The findings list specific strategies alcohol companies have used, such as developing new products meant to appeal particularly to women.

If you would like to learn more about alcohol abuse, or if you know of someone who is currently suffering from alcohol in their life, then pick the phone up today and call a member of our team who will be able to offer support and advice about accessing relevant treatment centres available to them.

About the author

Article author

John

John has dedicated his life to finding treatment for those with addictions and supporting their families. A business manager for 20 years in the construction industry John’s own experience of addiction led him to found his own rehab centre group in Scotland. John qualified as a counsellor for people with substance misuse during his time working as a therapist and manager for the foundation. He also trained as an interventionist and appeared on ITV as a consultant helping families impacted by addiction. He has helped thousands of people in recovery and his knowledge of the rehabilitations process and the addiction experience is unparalleled.

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