Episode 20 | Guest conversation: Why So Many Neurodivergent Women Drink to Cope with Helen Davies

Many neurodivergent women often don't drink because they love alcohol.They drink because it helps them cope with a world that does not fit their brain.In this guest conversation, I’m joined by Helen Davies, a neuro-inclusion and productivity expert with decades of experience supporting individuals and organisations to understand and work with neurodiversity.Helen is the founder of Practical Wisdom, a not-for-profit, and the creator of the Neuro-Inclusion Quality Mark with ND Accreditation. She is also an NHS Clinical Director, mentor, coach, and public speaker, bringing both professional expertise and lived experience of neurodivergence.We explore why so many neurodivergent women end up using alcohol to cope with overwhelm, emotional load, sensory stress, masking, and the constant pressure to function in systems that are not designed for their brains.Helen unpacks how alcohol can become part of masking, and the mental health tax of sustaining that over time.Helen also talks about her work in supporting workplaces and services to raise the standard of neuro-inclusion through meaningful, evidence-based approaches, rather than surface-level awareness. This is a grounded conversation about moving beyond labels and willpower, and towards support that fits real brains and real lives.Connect with Helen on LinkedIn ND accreditationPractical wisdom Website and training ND Navigator demoND Navigator app:On Android On Apple ND Accreditation BrochureIf this episode resonated with you, it may be a sign that you’ve been carrying more than you realise.Each month I run a FREE live Zoom workshop for women who are beginning to recognise the emotional patterns, people-pleasing, overthinking, exhaustion and self-abandonment that may be keeping them stuck.Inside the workshop, I talk about the “cycle” many women unknowingly live in, and how to start recognising the patterns that keep you emotionally exhausted, disconnected and running on autopilot.Save your place for the next workshop here:If you’d like to explore your own patterns more deeply, you can also book a free 30-minute conversation with me. Book your complimentary conversation here:Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological or therapeutic advice.