Alcohol and grief

Find out why some people turn to alcohol as a way to cope with their grief, and what support is available to you if you’re struggling with drinking.

Why do we drink when we're grieving?

When you’re grieving, you may find that there are moments when you want all your thoughts and feelings to stop, for a little while at least. You may feel like you need some time to be still, or to catch your breath after having to deal with such heavy emotions.

To help with this, some people decide to turn to alcohol and start drinking more than they usually would. This is because having a drink can slow down the ‘thinking’ part of the brain, providing that sense of relief. However, over time, this habit can turn into a vicious cycle that leaves you feeling worse, both emotionally and physically.

If you’re struggling to control how much alcohol you’re drinking, or if you’re finding that you’re relying on alcohol to get you through the day, speak to your GP or reach out to a local service for support.