Dr Oz: Has Wine Become Your Crutch?
Dr Oz shared that enjoying a glass of wine or two with friends can help you relax, but what if a glass of wine becomes a crutch and something you can’t go a night without? One woman named Melissa has developed a ritual where she settles in to relax with TV and a glass of wine, which sometimes turns into a lot more than just one glass.
Dr Oz talked to a woman whose occasional glass of wine became an unhealthy nightly routine. (sdbaywinefoodfest / flickr)
Melissa’s friend believes that it’s the stress of her divorce and being a single mom to three kids that has contributed to the increase in her alcohol consumption. Her own daughter shared that she confronted her mom about the drinking, and it led into a huge argument.
Dr Oz: Drinking Habit Gone Too Far?
Melissa joined Dr Oz and shared that her friend and daughter were right, it’s a crutch. She said she knows it’s probably unhealthy, but she enjoys it and it’s a way for her to relax and feel better at the end of the day.
She shared that she was introduced to wine after her second child was born and her friend would come over and watch TV, bringing along a bottle of wine.
She said back then, she only drank for fun, but it has since progressed. She explained that it’s the same routine over and over again and it causes a lot of stress.
Dr Oz: Wine As A Reward?
Melissa shared that sometimes she looks at wine like it’s a reward for a tough day. Melissa said when she got divorced, she was scared, so she started drinking more because it helped subside the feelings. She shared that when she enjoys her wine, she doesn’t think about all of the other things that are causing stress.
Dr Oz said he believes the wine is just putting a blanket over her emotions, rather than her dealing with them. Dr Oz said he heard from her family and friends, but he wanted to follow her and get her perspective. A member of Dr Oz’s medical team followed Melissa through her nightly routine to monitor the ritual.
Dr Oz: Dangerous Wine Habit
Throughout the night, she was given breathalyzer tests and was monitored. After her first glass of wine, Melissa blew a .04. After her second glass, her coordination was tested. By her third glass, Melissa blew a .07 and decided she was ready for bed.
Melissa shared that even if she had just one glass of wine, she won’t drive, which was good news. Dr Oz said the results still sent a signal to him that Melissa was sort of living on the edge. She said, “Probably.”
Dr Oz then said that he’s not as much worried about her harming other people as he is about her harming herself.
Dr Oz: Social & Habitual Drinking Vs Alcoholism
Dr Oz then wanted to know what would happen if Melissa didn’t have her nightly glass or three of wine. Melissa said that first, it helps her sleep at night. If she doesn’t have wine, she can’t sleep.
Dr Oz wanted to know how to tell the difference between social drinking and an alcoholic. Kristina Wandzilak, co-founder and president of Full Circle Intervention, explained that social drinking is something you do out with other people, while habitual drinking is something you do every day, whether you know why you do it or not. Addiction is the feeling that you can’t do without it.
Dr Oz: How Does Your Drinking Affect Family & Friends?
Kristina said it’s important to note how your use of alcohol or any other substance affects other members of your family or friends. Kristina said you don’t have to get in a car to cause damage with alcohol. She said that’s only one piece of it. She said if there were some sort of emergency, Melissa would be unfit to drive.
Kristina then added that alcohol becomes a relationship in Melissa’s life and can come between her and the rest of her family members. Melissa said she would have to categorize herself as an alcoholic.
Dr Oz: Alcoholism
Kristina said alcoholism isn’t something you wake up in, it’s something you “slide into.” She said she was hearing Melissa slide into a life-altering and profound disorder, but wanted Melissa to know how brave she thought she was. She said many high-functioning moms are struggling with the same thing. Melissa shared that she really did want to change. Kristina and Dr Oz shared some solutions so Melissa could get started.
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