Drinking More After a Bad Marriage: How to Rebuild Yourself

The breakdown of a marriage is one of life’s most emotionally challenging experiences. Stress, grief, anger, and loneliness can feel overwhelming, and for many, alcohol becomes a coping mechanism. What starts as a way to take the edge off after a painful separation can gradually turn into a dependency, reinforcing negative emotions rather than helping to heal them.

If you’ve noticed yourself drinking more since your marriage ended, you’re not alone. Research published by the National Library of Medicine found that divorce and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are strongly linked. Divorced individuals are more likely to drink heavily, engage in harmful drinking patterns, and even develop alcohol-related problems compared to those who are married. The study also revealed that divorce itself can trigger increased alcohol consumption, even in individuals who previously drank in moderation.

The good news is that it’s possible to break free from this cycle, regain control over your drinking, and rebuild your life with clarity and confidence.

The Emotional Toll of Divorce and Alcohol

Divorce brings a wave of emotions, some of which may feel unbearable in the moment. Whether the separation was amicable or filled with conflict, it can leave a person feeling lost, anxious, or disconnected from their sense of self.

Common emotional triggers for increased drinking include:

Loneliness: The absence of a partner can leave a void, leading some to drink as a distraction from the isolation.
Stress and Anxiety: Divorce often comes with financial strain, legal battles, co-parenting challenges, and uncertainty about the future. Alcohol may seem like a way to manage the stress, but it ultimately worsens it.
Anger and Resentment: Lingering feelings of betrayal or injustice can cause emotional distress, making drinking an attempt to dull those emotions.
Loss of Identity: Many people struggle with self-worth after divorce, feeling as though they’ve lost a part of themselves or their purpose.

Drinking to suppress emotions might offer temporary relief, but it doesn’t address the root causes of pain. Over time, alcohol can intensify anxiety, disrupt sleep, and lower overall emotional resilience—keeping you stuck in the past rather than moving forward.

The Cycle of Drinking After Divorce

For many, drinking after a bad marriage follows a repetitive cycle:

You drink to escape negative emotions.
Alcohol numbs feelings temporarily but disrupts sleep, lowers mood, and increases anxiety.
You wake up feeling worse, emotionally drained, and unmotivated.
To push away those feelings, you drink again, repeating the cycle.

This pattern can be difficult to break without actively reshaping daily habits and thought patterns.

How Hypnotherapy Helps You Regain Control

Rather than relying on willpower alone, hypnotherapy offers a practical way to retrain the subconscious mind, helping to break negative habits and strengthen emotional resilience.

Ailsa Frank, hypnotherapist and founder of the Feel Amazing App, explains:

"Most people try to quit drinking using logic, but habits are deeply ingrained in the subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy works by reprogramming those patterns, reducing the urge to drink while reinforcing feelings of confidence, control, and emotional strength."

The Feel Amazing App provides two powerful recordings designed specifically for this:

“Take Control of Alcohol” (Habit Breaker section) – Helps to reduce alcohol consumption and break unhealthy drinking patterns.
“Stress-Free Divorce” (Love & Relationships section) – Supports emotional healing, helping to process feelings of loss and rebuild confidence.

These recordings work together to help reframe thoughts, detach alcohol from emotional pain, and promote positive lifestyle changes.

Real-Life Success Story

A Feel Amazing App user shared their experience:

"I turned up at work one morning drunk after drinking the night before because I had opened a solicitor’s letter that upset me. My boss warned me that my behaviour couldn’t continue. That’s when I found the divorce hypnosis recording. I had tried counselling before, but it didn’t help. I was sceptical, but I fell asleep listening to the recording on the first night. The next day, I felt a shift, an inner sense that everything was going to be fine. When I thought about my problems, a voice in my head reassured me: ‘It’s going to be okay.’" – Tony

Steps to Rebuild Your Life After Divorce Without Alcohol

If you’ve been drinking more since your marriage ended, small, consistent changes can help you regain control and move forward:

Recognise Your Emotional Triggers

Journaling or reflecting on when and why you drink can help identify patterns and create space for new coping strategies.

Replace Drinking with Positive Habits

Instead of turning to alcohol, introduce calming alternatives like meditation, exercise, or listening to Feel Amazing App’s “Take Control of Alcohol” or “Stress-Free Divorce” recordings.

Create a New Social Circle

Surround yourself with people who support your healthier lifestyle. If your social life revolves around alcohol, seek out new activities where drinking isn’t the focus.

Prioritise Self-Care and Mindfulness

Exercise, good nutrition, and mindfulness practices can help regulate emotions and strengthen mental resilience. Even simple habits like a morning walk can make a difference.

Set Clear Intentions for Your Future

Visualise where you want to be in six months. Set small, achievable goals to move towards a healthier relationship with alcohol and yourself.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

You don’t have to let alcohol keep you stuck in the past. Moving forward starts with one small step.

Download the Feel Amazing App and listen to ‘Take Control of Alcohol’ and ‘Stress-Free Divorce’ recordings.
Introduce alcohol-free evenings to create space for healing.
Start a daily self-care habit—exercise, journaling, or guided relaxation.
Remind yourself: Your future is yours to shape.

Healing, happiness, and a fresh start are within reach. Take that first step today.

FAQs

Why do people drink more after divorce?

Divorce can trigger stress, loneliness, and emotional pain. Many turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, but it often worsens emotional well-being over time.