Denise Welch’s health struggle made her ‘want a drink and a cigarette’ after 11 years sober

Much loved Loose Women star, Denise Welch has revealed how she risked sobriety as she struggled with health problems last year

Denise Welch
Denise Welch spoke about her health battle(Image: Getty Images)

Loose Women star and actress Denise Welch has revealed that a recent health issue saw her hit ‘tipping point’.

The former Coronation Street actor opened up to Alex Partridge on the ADHD Chatter podcast, as she admitted that an incident involving her health last year nearly made her turn back to drinking alcohol and smoking. The 66-year-old had stopped drinking after she had initially turned to it after suffering with clinical depression.

Despite originally deciding that she was not going to take medication for ADHD, the mum-of-two was later convinced by her husband, Lincoln, and she first chose to take the tablets last year on the night she was due to see her eldest her son, Matty Healy, perform with his band, the 1975.

Describing the impact she expected the medication to have, the Loose Women icon believed that she would be able to see an instant difference in how she behaved, as she jokingly said that she thought she would have been more ‘focused’ and her head would be less ‘scrambled’.

Denise Welch
Denise Welch revealed that she nearly hit ‘tipping point’ after recent health battle(Image: S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

But, as time ticked by, she soon noticed that the reality did not meet her expectations: “So, I thought I’m going to take this tablet and by the time I leave our London apartment, I’m going to have vacuumed everywhere and I’m going to have thought, right, for once I really want to settle down to that bulk of affairs that I’ve ignored since I was 18-years-old.”

Unable to notice any impact from the medication, she joked as she claimed she still didn’t feel the ‘need to do her taxes,’ reports Gloucestershire Live.

But, as more time passed, that would soon change: “An hour later I wanted a drink and a cigarette for the first time in 11 years and it was horrendous how it affected me. Had I not been so many years into (it) and so secure managing my sobriety it would have been a very very dangerous tipping point for me.”


Denise Welch spoke candidly about her health battle(Image: ITV)

Despite not seeing positive results from her own experience, she said: “One of the things I am always glad of the opportunity of being able to tell people is that, ADHD medication changes so many peoples lives for the better, but there are some people it is not good for and I was absolutely one of them.”

According to the NHS Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ‘is a condition that affects people’s behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.’

Their website also adds that symptoms of the condition ‘tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child’s circumstances change, such as when they start school.’ And, while diagnoses are also occasionally not made until adulthood, in some circumstances, symptoms can improve with age.

Related Posts

Charles Leclerc Expresses Deep Concerns Over Ferrari’s Future After Lewis Hamilton Reveals Shocking Details About Their Struggles in the Belgian Grand Prix: Is Ferrari in Trouble? Here’s What Leclerc Thinks.

Charles Leclerc won his first F1 race with Ferrari at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix, but the Monegasque is on alert for the 2025 round after speaking…

Christian Horner Has Just Shocked the F1 World by Acquiring an Entire Team – And His Plans for the Belgian Grand Prix Will Leave Everyone in Awe as He Looks to Settle Scores and Make a Massive Statement in the Upcoming Race!

The Formula 1 Power Play: Christian Horner’s Dramatic Exit and Potential Return Formula 1 is no stranger to the high-stakes drama that accompanies its races, but the…

Oscar Piastri Has Just Made A Shocking Statement About His Future with McLaren That Could Change Everything! Is He Really Leaving? Find Out What He Just Revealed That No One Expected!

The Future of Oscar Piastri: A Seismic Shift in Formula 1 Formula 1, known for its high-stakes drama and intense competition, is experiencing an unfolding story that…

Mercedes F1 team’s internal drama has been a hot topic for months, but Toto Wolff’s unexpected move for 2026 could be the game-changer everyone’s been waiting for. What does this decision mean for the team’s future, and how will it affect the ongoing battle for dominance in Formula 1?

Max Verstappen and the Mercedes Driver Market: A Look Ahead The 2025 Formula 1 driver market has been anything but quiet, with major implications for the future…

Max Verstappen Breaks Silence on Christian Horner’s F1 Exit: What Red Bull Won’t Tell You and the Shocking Truth Behind the Team’s Future – Why It All Matters Now More Than Ever.

The first media day ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix has been eventful, particularly for Red Bull Racing, who are undergoing a major organizational shift. With Christian…

Verstappen’s Shocking Talks With Mercedes Heat Up as Red Bull Faces Major Engine Crisis: Could the Champion Be Planning a Switch?

Max Verstappen’s Future with Red Bull: A New Era, a Questionable Path Forward Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing has been one of the most intriguing…