How we de-stress after a long day of work or caring for kids varies from person to person. Many unwind by curling up with a good book, exercising, or pursuing a hobby. Some individuals may also have a drink to blow off steam from the day. That often includes daily wine time. However, this can quickly escalate. One drink leads to a second, and over time, people require more to relax.
American society has a very apparent drinking culture, including wine culture. These cultures make it seem okay to drink every day. However, drinking can quickly become rampant. Drinking can become uncontrollable, and instead of acknowledging the problem, we justify it with the fact that we had a bad day.
Alcohol consumption is typical among many cultures. However, there seems to be a lot of emphasis within American culture. The hype often begins in high school or college. Going out and drinking is prevalent within this age group. Especially with the pressures of being a full-time student, potentially working full-time, and trying to find life balance, this is a particularly vulnerable age to fall victim to substance use disorder (SUD).
Unfortunately, we do not always develop healthier habits the older we become. Individuals who use alcohol to cope with stress in college may be more likely to continue doing so afterward. This can lead to daily wine time culture.
Daily wine time is frequent among mothers. There is an entire mom wine culture that can lead to SUD. The mom wine culture describes mothers drinking wine to cope with parenting stress. Sure, the occasional glass of wine does not lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD), but the concept that alcohol is needed to manage stress is dangerous.
Daily wine time perpetuates a similar message. Having daily wine time is how people manage their stress. What individuals do not realize is how quickly it can turn to dependency.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIDAAA) describes AUD as a “medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.” If people are not careful about their alcohol consumption, it can quickly lead to dependency.
The line between wine time and dependency is thinner than many realize. Unfortunately, recognizing dependence within yourself is also more challenging than you think. However, the signs may be apparent to friends, family, and loved ones who see dependency in action.
Wine time becomes dependency when you have a couple of glasses a day and have trouble giving it up. You may be unable to limit the number of drinks you consume, reduce alcohol intake, and experience cravings. Dependency is typically more physical but still is considered AUD. On the other hand, addiction causes more significant changes in behaviors and brain chemistry and is considered the most severe form of AUD.
Despite the signs, you may also need to differentiate what stage your AUD is in. Though the line between dependency and full-blown addiction is thin, it does exist.
As mentioned, alcohol dependency is often used to describe the physical need to drink. Addiction is slightly more intense as it physically changes brain chemistry and alters behavior over time. Nevertheless, the line between dependency and addiction is fine and both point to AUD. It is always better to be proactive about your substance use than reactive.
Signs that you may be addicted to your daily wine time are:
If you recognize these signs within yourself, you should seek treatment. When left untreated, AUD can cause many adverse effects on your health and overall well-being, significantly reducing your overall quality of life. Thankfully, NorthStar Transitions can help you recover and heal from your daily wine time and alcohol dependencies.
If you find yourself choosing alcohol over your work, family, or health, then it is time to call NorthStar Transitions. We offer many programs and an individualized treatment plan that can address your AUD and additional concerns regarding your mental health. Some of those programs include:
These programs will teach you alternative ways to cope with daily stress, manage alcohol cravings, and help you stay sober long-term.
Ultimately, there is nothing wrong with the occasional drink, but when it becomes the only solution to manage stress, there is a bigger problem. To address this problem effectively, contact NorthStar Transitions today.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), also referred to as alcoholism or alcohol addiction, has been a growing concern among Americans for decades. Despite these concerns, we continue to experience several cultures surrounding alcohol consumption. That includes the daily wine time culture. Those who enjoy daily wine time use alcohol to cope with the daily stress of life. While there is nothing wrong with the occasional drink, it becomes a problem when drinking wine becomes the solution to all life problems. That is why individuals must be prudent about their alcohol consumption, recognize when they are becoming dependent, and seek treatment before alcohol use causes adverse effects. If you have become dependent on daily wine time, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
