When she was 40, Amelia Murphy* and her husband moved from Pittsburgh to Millburn, North Carolina. He had many close friends there and lived in a suburb full of strangers. Murphy's job as a content manager for a large company was tough, and he relaxed with a drink with his colleagues a few nights a week. Murphy would usually return to an empty house and drink vodka or bourbon to cheer her husband up, and when he arrived an hour later, she would share a glass of wine with him.
Eventually, Murphy made friends, and when they got together on weekends, they would often have four or five drinks. "All our social activities revolved around alcohol." Murphy, who cut back on alcohol by using a spreadsheet to track how much he drank, told Health. “Some thought it was over the top, but alcohol is a quick and easy way to get into the mood, and if everyone's doing the same, it doesn't seem to matter. That's normal.''
According to a March 2019 article in Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, statistics show that cisgender women drink more and drink more at the same time. According to the CDC, as of October 2020, about 50 percent of adult women reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days, and 13 percent of women reported drinking five drinks about four times a month. "Drinking increases: One drink turns into two, then three," psychologist Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D., author of Almost Drink, tells Health. "It doesn't mean you're addicted, but you have to admit that you've gone from non-hazardous use to more risky use."
Between career and financial pressures, the needs of children and aging parents, and adjusting to an empty nest and an aging body, life can be a stressful endeavor, and consuming something soothing can help ease the tension. The problem is that many people do not question their alcohol consumption because alcohol is associated with relaxation.
What is causing the increase in alcohol consumption among cisgender women?
People have been using alcohol to self-medicate for a long time. However, drinking for relief appears to have a significant impact on individuals assigned female at birth. "[Cisgenders] slow down most women's lives," says Ann Dowsett Johnston, MSW, author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Drink. "After a busy day at the office, you rush home and have work emails, food to prepare and laundry to do. The easiest thing to do while eating at the cutting board is to pour yourself a glass of wine. This is the best decompression tool.''
Anxiety about the state of the world around you can also play a role. Helena Peterson*, an editorial consultant and single mother who lives in Danbury, Conn., said she drank more when panicking about recent events. "It got to the point where I could barely watch the news for a while." A glass of wine," Peterson said. "I turned off the news and drank because I can't sleep and I'm gaining weight. Within a week, I had more energy in general and less anxiety.”
Cultural forces naturally increase our consumption. "Since the mid-1990s, the spirits market has been 'pink', with thin cocktails and berry flavored vodka," Johnston said. "The message in movies and television these days is that alcohol is the best way for cisgender women to relax and reward themselves." Think appreciating movie characters enjoying themselves with fine wine and reality TV. Shown. "We've reached saturation point," Johnston added.
What are the hidden dangers of alcohol consumption?
A few glasses of Cabernet can make you feel warm and fuzzy, but the results of a typical binge are no different. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), cisgender women are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol than cisgender men because they have less water in their bodies. As a result, alcohol becomes more concentrated when it enters the bloodstream. In addition, cisgender women have lower levels of ADH, an enzyme that breaks down alcohol and reduces its absorption, and lower ADH activity in the liver. This means your blood alcohol level rises faster and stays high for longer, making you more susceptible to short-term effects such as dizziness and stumbling and long-term health risks including liver damage, heart and cancer. Of course, there are also social risks. This made Ellie McCormick* reconsider her habits. He began drinking more to cope with the stress of work and his 90-minute commute on Los Angeles freeways. "There have been many cases where I opened a bottle of wine and drank it when I was alone at home. McCormick said, "I was like, 'I'm an adult, so I'm going to rest comfortably enough to feel good.'
But there was a downside. "I was so drunk I argued with my husband about stupid things and texted a friend I hadn't seen in months saying 'You're my best friend' in the middle of the night .” The next day, I pretended to be nervous. ```Besides, McCormick wasn't feeling well. “I was often tired and suffered from chronic low-grade depression. I just felt sick."
McCormick said he decided to abstain for 100 days in December 2017 and hasn't had a drink since. "After a few weeks, I felt better and started getting out of bed in the morning, ready to start the day," said McCormick, who joined a gym and started doing yoga soon after. "I didn't realize how much alcohol was affecting me until I quit."
Signs of a drinking problem
It's easy to fall into overeating patterns without realizing it. "If you're having trouble controlling your drinking, it could be a sign of alcoholism," said Sharon Willsnack, MD, professor of clinical neurology at the University of North Dakota. . The doctor, who has studied women and alcohol for 20 years, told Health: "If you can drink more, you're showing that you've built up a tolerance," Wilsneck explained. This is important to mention because increased use increases the risk of liver damage. You'll also want to focus on your ability to stay awake. "If you don't feel comfortable giving up alcohol temporarily, or if you can't actually stop drinking, that's a warning sign," Wilsnack added. Drinking alcohol can have serious effects on your brain and body. I am concerned that if I consume too much in the evening, it may affect my performance or vitality the next day. In addition, alcohol interferes with the activity of the hippocampus, an area of the brain that plays an important role in forming new memories, and the more you drink, the worse your memory becomes. Power outages can occur if you drink alcohol on an empty stomach or have several drinks in a row. But if this happens regularly, Wilsnack recommends paying attention.
How to quit drinking
According to the CDC, the majority of persons who drink on a regular basis—including those who binge drink four or more times in a single sitting—do not have a diagnosable drug use disorder. However, according to Ruby Warrington, author of "Sober Curious," it makes sense to treat your alcohol use with the same diligence as you do your diet or exercise regimen, as Health stated.
"A lot of us just carry on without giving our consumption any thought. Stepping outside of that agreement and asking yourself, "Do I really want to have a drink right now?" is what it means to be sober-curious. What effects will it have on my relationships, career, and physical, mental, and emotional well-being? Warrington said, "What would happen if I decided not to drink?
Establish Particular Boundaries
"I'm going to cut back" is too nebulous, Nowinski remarked. Rather, clarify your terminology: You might declare that you won't drink more than four times a week. Alternatively, you may elect to limit your intake to one glass on weeknights and to two on Friday and Saturday. "Being specific gives you a greater sense of control—and you can pat yourself on the back every time you meet your goal," said Nowinski.
Be Aware
Author of "Her Best-Kept Secret: Why Women Drink—and How They Can Regain Control," Gabrielle Glaser, suggested that recognizing the affects of alcohol right away might help you cut back on your intake. "I chatted with a woman who tracked her mood and realized that one or two drinks made her feel happy, but a third made her feel morose, angry, and sloppy," said Glaser. "Tuning in to how you feel can help some people stay within reasonable limits."
Get a guide
If you're interested in helping you assess your drinking, you can check out resources to help you develop skills to reduce your drinking, such as organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery. More information about this program can be found at the National Center on Substance Abuse.
Join our community
Moderation Management is a free program that starts with 30 days of abstinence and includes a "mutual help" environment with meetings to help you change your habits, either in person or over the phone.
See a therapist
According to MedlinePlus, cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective when it comes to helping people limit their alcohol consumption. You will try to identify the situations and emotions that trigger your urge to drink and learn how to avoid or cope with them.
Socialize in new ways
There are also options for non-alcoholic social gatherings. For example, Warrington created Club SÖDA NYCO, a series of events including parties, conferences, lectures and workshops for the general public. The Loosid app can also help you find sober events and groups in your community that promote sober living. Hanging out at a bar may be the most obvious way to socialize, but it's not the only way. "You can have coffee or tea with friends, exercise or have a non-alcoholic meal," says Warrington. Warrington added that the experience may surprise you. “I was nervous about my first serious wedding, but I felt better and surprisingly more confident. I realized over the years that my confidence carried over to alcohol.
A Brief Recap
It might be nice to unwind with a glass of wine after a demanding day. But excessive drinking too frequently might lead to problems very rapidly. There are several strategies to reduce your alcohol consumption, such as hosting sober get-togethers with friends or cutting down from two to one glass of wine per night. See your healthcare practitioner for assistance if you feel that your drinking is out of control or is causing you worry.
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