Insights

Many women with ADHD find themselves in a complicated relationship with alcohol, and it’s not about weakness or “lack of discipline”. It’s about how the ADHD brain is wired, how dopamine works, and why alcohol can feel like instant relief (until it starts to cause harm). ADHD, Dopamine and the “Quick Fix” of Alcohol ADHD isn’t just about distraction; it involves differences in the brain’s reward and attention systems, especially around dopamine – the chemical linked to motiva

Most people expect hangovers to improve when they take a break from alcohol. What often comes as a surprise is just how many other parts of your body start to recover too, and how quickly that can happen. From the first day without alcohol right through to years down the line, your body is behind the scenes, getting on with repairing, rebalancing and protecting you. If you are currently participating in Dry January or considering taking a break, this is a rough guide to what

I still remember the first time I decided to take a month off drinking. It felt daunting. I honestly believe the longest I'd gone without alcohol was the 2 weeks I was on recruit training for the Territorial Army (aged 36). And the moment I got home, I went straight to the pub. I’d always be one of the last ones standing at events, and I always had a bottle of wine on the go at home. So the thought of saying no to alcohol for 31 days seemed almost impossible. But a few weeks

At Christmas, alcohol feels like part of the furniture. It’s everywhere. In the adverts, in the gift sets, in the “Go on, have one” comments, in the idea that you’re not properly celebrating unless you’ve got a glass in your hand by midday. So if you’re having a sober Christmas, or you’re taking a break from drinking, you can feel a bit… exposed. The odd one out. The good news is you don’t need superhero willpower. You just need a few simple things in place so the day doesn’t

So you've been alcohol-free for a while now, and one day you catch yourself in the bathroom mirror on a random Tuesday and think, Hang on… why does my hair look a bit… better?  Healthier. Less straw-like. Less brittle. Well, that's sober hair . So what actually is “sober hair”? “Sober hair” is one of those phrases people use to describe the hair changes that can happen when you stop drinking. As your body rehydrates and starts absorbing nutrients more consistently, your hair

I went to my first Christmas party of the year last night. A party for a local women's business group I'm part of. I was a little nervous because I really only knew one person, and I don't even know her that well. I know for a fact that I'm not as 'sociable' with people I don't know as I would have been when I was drinking. After a few wines, I'd have chatted with anyone, manoeuvring around the room, I would have ended up dancing (something I don't like doing) and probably b