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Many of these messages condone alcohol as something women need and are entitled to, according to Nicole Orro, LPC, LCADC, Director of Outpatient Services at Princeton House Behavioral Health’s Hamilton site. Concurrently, research reveals that alcohol consumption is increasing among women.1
“We’ve all seen the ‘mommy sippy cup’ or ‘it’s wine o’clock somewhere’ memes,” says Orro. “Women are often very engaged in social media for interpersonal connections and self-care, and they’re being bombarded with messages promoting alcohol consumption. This kind of cultural climate can grant a pass for the overuse of alcohol, particularly for women who are already feeling vulnerable, dealing with too many stressors, or struggling with emotional issues like anxiety or depression.”
Broaching the Subject in Therapy
Orro recommends a very sensitive approach in bringing up suspected alcohol overuse with a patient who may be in outpatient therapy for other issues, such as anxiety or depression. She suggests:
- Taking a provider self-assessment on substance use views, and setting aside any judgments or assumptions to facilitate a positive connection with patients.
- Being compassionate and asking the right questions in a patient assessment.
- Encouraging patients to take their own self-assessment. Women may not recognize that they’ve fallen into a potentially dangerous pattern of alcohol
use, especially given its cultural normalization. - Providing information on what it means to have a drinking problem.
- Recommending healthier alternatives for managing anxiety.
“It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing approach,” adds Orro. “Helping patients recognize an issue before it becomes a serious problem and assisting them in identifying alternative ways to navigate stress can result in tangible progress toward a healthier lifestyle.”
For more information about substance abuse or behavioral health services at Princeton House, call 888.437.1610.
1-Laura Dwyer-Lindgren et al. Drinking Patterns in U.S. Counties From 2002 to 2012. American Journal of Public Health: June 2015, Vol. 105, No. 6, pp. 1120-1127.
Article as seen in the Spring 2017 issue of Princeton House Behavioral Health.
