I agree -- especially because I don't necessarily associate alcohol and menopause as one related issue but two separate issues NB may be battling.
For example, if NB was being treated for menopause symptoms with Rx, the side effects are readily known and could be a resource for investigators whereas it almost sounds to me like there's some denial about possible alcoholism (i.e., blaming menopause).
If NB is hiding a problem, I can easily envision a situation where NB drops the kids at school and uses the dog walk as her self-soothing opportunity to sneak her drink while walking the dog -- and nothing unusual about walking the trail with your Camelbak Eddy.
Also, while morning consumption sans breakfast might produce the desired result, it might also endanger an individual walking along the edge of a river.
I'm sorry to know NB is struggling, and may not have been in good form on 27 January. MOO