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Mum Overcomes Alcohol Addiction, Discovers Hidden Neurodivergence
17 Nov
Summary
- Mum drank heavily for years to cope with undiagnosed condition
- Realized she was likely neurodivergent after hitting perimenopause
- Now alcohol-free, focused on helping other women share their stories
In November 2025, Sarah Lloyd, a 48-year-old mum from Hampshire, is sharing her journey of overcoming a long-standing alcohol addiction. For years, Lloyd relied on booze to get through high-pressure days at work, drinking most evenings and bingeing on weekends just to feel "normal."
Behind the facade of a successful corporate career, Lloyd was secretly battling crippling anxiety, burnout, and daily shame. It wasn't until she hit perimenopause last year that everything began to make sense. After reflecting on decades of difficulty with sensory overwhelm, social masking, and anxiety, Lloyd realized she was likely neurodivergent.
This discovery has reframed Lloyd's entire relationship with alcohol. She now views her past drinking habits as a coping mechanism for an undiagnosed condition. Instead of seeing herself as weak or overly sensitive, Lloyd understands that she was struggling without the language or awareness to explain it.
Today, Lloyd is alcohol-free, grounded, and focused on helping other women share their stories. She says, "I've learned that understanding myself - my mind, my body, and my patterns - has been far more powerful than any drink ever was. Now I face life with clarity, not a bottle, and that freedom is priceless."
