The High-Functioning Alcoholic

It is true, physiologically, that alcohol is alcohol and an excess of beer, wine, or bourbon will get you inebriated. But mythologically speaking, wine has a special place, and mythology has a great deal to do with psychology, motivation, and the various games that we play. Wine is connected to gods like the Greek Dionysus and through him to the desire for deep connection with others, mystical union, and divine inspiration. I know, I know, many of us choose to drink wine because beer gets us bloated and for other, "practical" reasons but consider too, the spirit of the god and the particular conviviality wine induces.

I had actually considered a posting a picture of a Greek God drinking wine- so I understand the point that you are making. What you are describing is exactly the mystical quality that wine seems to have and why so many seem to drink in excess but then minimize it as being "social". You raise an excellent point that throughout history, wine has been played a special role in many cultures. The problem lies with those who have "magical" nights drinking wine and then end up not remembering it, drinking and driving, hurting themselves or other, or relapsing because of the idea that wine "doesn't count."

I realize that this is just an opinion piece, but are there any studies that you can refer to that supports the notion that wine drinkers are "less mindful" of how much they are drinking?

I've seen more falling-over-drunks at bars after lost counts of beers and shots than I have at wine bars or restaurants. Unless you are considering Mad Dog and Thunderbird as wine too! :)

I did not base my blog posting on any studies around this topic. I am simply making observations and reflecting back comments and thoughts many have shared with me through the years.

Agreed- many a beer drinker or hard liquor drinker has been sloppy drunk. However, they do not seem to glamorize or minimize their liquor consumption quite the same way (except for the Martini drinker!), nor claimed to be sophisticated about their drinking style of drink of choice. People who are slamming shots tend to admit that they were trying to get drunk- but ask a wine drinker their intention. But in the end of the night, they may have consumed the same amount.

Interesting article. I suspect that my wife is a HFA and wine is her drink of choice. In a number of other blogs I've read, it seems one of the obstacles an HFA needs to get past is the lack of concrete consequences or other evidence that would support the notion that they are a HFA. I have not directly confronted this issue with my wife but I plan on doing so soon. My question is on the approach. I have been keeping a written record of her drinking and behavior as it has helped me understand that this is a problem. Is it wrong to share this with her when I bring it up? I don't want it to seem like I'm being accusatory or that I'm acting like a spy of some sort but I also feel that it might help to show her this record as some form of evidence. Thoughts?

You mention that a bottle of wine contains 5 glasses. I'm a vineyardist and amateur winemaker, and I've spent lots of time in commercial vineyards and wineries. I've always been told that a bottle of wine (standard 750 ml) contains 4 glasses. I've never seen a source before state that a bottle contains 5 glasses. Not to be confrontational, but in the interest of friendly discussion.

Another issue of note is that since the 1970s, wine, especially American wine, has trended toward a higher alcohol level. Where once the classic wines had 12%, now we're seeing a lot labeled as 14%, and many of those are so labeled to get around the higher tax rate imposed at levels higher than 14% (there is I think, a 1% alcohol level leeway). Just food for thought.

-Bret

Sarah, thank you for your article. As an HFA, wine was my "drink of choice." After all, it was socially acceptable and even applauded when you introduced a really "good" bottle to a colleage at a dinner party. The "connoisseur" in me, was proud to know a good wine, afterall, it took a lot of good research, by attending many vineyards over the years. I was in my 20's when I started drinking wine and frequented wine tasting's. There was no way I could be an alcoholic in my 20's because I drank wine, I only drank on the weekends with friends, had a great job and was in grad. school. The wine led to martini's after grad school. They were commonplace with other professionals after work on a Friday night. It wasn't until I resigned from job to be a stay at home mother to our first child last year, that I decided I should switch back to drinking wine because the martini's "didn't feel right" to start drinking at 3pm at a playdate. Wine was definitly a more excusable drink choice, after all, I was a Mom, I deserved a few glasses towards the end of the day. Then your book came out and saved my life. It was a real eye opener that not only was I an alcoholic, but I had been for years. It had nothing to do with that "what" I drank. I had finally realized that I always had a good excuse on why I couldn't be an alcoholic, whether it was because of my job, education level, wine or martini. It didn't matter any more, I was no different than any other alcoholic. I am 31 year old and I am an alcoholic. I thank God everyday for your story Sarah, and I thank God for AA. Keep posting!!! :)

Thank you for sharing your story that I am certain so many can relate to. I had considered adding Martini's to this blog, as they too seem to hold the same allure and false sense of sophistication.

You words are so meaningful and I am grateful that my book was something that you connected with so deeply. You are raising such an important point- it is not about our story of drinking and the "outside things" that we have, it is about what happens to us when we drink alcohol that determines if we are alcoholic.

Congratulations on your sobriety and may you continue to inspire others!

I forgot how much I enjoyed reading your blog. I subscribed to it on my phone and then didn't notice that it was gone when I got a new one. I was at a company fundraiser last week and they were throwing booze at us. I was working so I wasn't drinking and then they started to give me all the money so I definitely couldn't drink but "a couple of glasses of wine" turned into me playing designated driver and damage control expert for the rest of the staff. Everyone made it home but I couldn't in good conscience let any of them drive especially after closing the hotel bar and hitting a few more of the classier establishments of Southie. So easily did a drink or two turn into an all night bender and it all started with one glass of wine.

P.S. Sarah please check out my blog you are a pretty successful writer among other things and I would appreciate your input. I hope all is well!

I appreciate your post and kind words about my blog. Alcohol is certainly a part of the culture of many business functions and it seems that you had quite an experience that night. One drink of wine may sound innocent enough, but not with those who have drinking problems.

Your blog is great- keep writing and sharing your inspirations with others!

You write:
"Alcohol is alcohol- it does not matter if you are sipping on Chardonnay or chugging a 40-ounce beer in a paper bag, it is all the same drug and it will give you the same effect."

I take your point - wine is insidious in our culture.

However, I think you are mistaken when you suggest that all alcohol has the same effect. Liquor, beer and wine are quite different from one another chemically speaking, and people DO react differently based on the type of alcohol they are consuming. What's more, the social setting in which we consume alcohol is a major factor in the spectrum of use, abuse and addiction. Drinking 40 oz of beer or wine in a safe setting with friends is not comparable to bagging a bottle and drinking alone.

The reason that liquor, beer and wine have different effects on people is often because of the speed in which they drink it. Yes, there are subtle differences to the way that various types of alcohol lead people to act or feel, but for the most part- alcohol is alcohol. I have to disagree with your comment that "the social setting in which we consume alcohol is a major factor in the spectrum of use, abuse and addiction." In fact, that belief is what feeds the myth that a person could not be alcoholic if he or she drinks socially and does not drink alone. What makes a person alcoholic or have an alcohol problem is not where they drink or what they drink- it is the effect that alcohol has on them (craving, obsession, loss of values) and their relationship to alcohol.

Most of the information coming out from the media is that wine is good for you. True enough, there is a statistical relationshp between drinking wine and reduction in the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, it is important to point out that a statistical relationship does not mean drinking wine causes less heart attacks, just that they are related. As researchers have suggested, the benefit from wine could be the antioxidant effect of the grape and a a similar benefit might come from drinking grape juice. What is troublesome is many folks who drink wine excessively irrationally deduce that wine is healthy in any amount. The research is pretty conclusive that anything beyound five drinks per episode (e.g, cocktail party, night out with friends) is organ damaging. I think most would agree it would not wise for the average size person to drive after consuming 4-5 glasses of wine. Finally, there is a class stigma associate with wine. People of stature drink fine wine, and even if drunk they are esteemed. Yet those who drink less expensive wine are considered wino's, bums or worse. It seems as if society has missed the point. Alcohol dependence causes damage to the body whether you are a high or low funtioning alcoholic.

Great comment title! I appreciate your comment that some types of grape juice can be effective in protecting the heart- as many people use "health" as justification for their wine drinking. Here are links to information about the positive health effects of grape juice:
Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN00576

CNN.com: http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/alternative/03/31/wine.heart.wmd/

I'm in the process of trying to work out whether I have a problem or 'just like a drink.' After battling drug addictions in the past, now I only drink wine - as it's socially acceptable and 'only having a few.'

Thanks for your article.

The key question to ask yourself if you have had past drug addiction- is it worth the risk to drink? If you were truly indifferent towards alcohol then you would chose not to take the chance given your history and knowing that alcohol could lead you back to your drugs of choice or become a new addiction. It is important that you are honest with yourself and examine your relationship to alcohol.

Sarah - Your column has really given me some food for thought about my own drinking habits.

I absolutely love wine. I love the flavor of the wine and I admit, I also love the warm fuzzy feeling I get from wine. My boyfriend, who is from Europe, also loves wine. We enjoy having a bottle of wine with dinner a couple of nights a week, maybe one more glass after dinner. I sometimes enjoy having a glass or 2 of wine and relaxing on the couch alone after putting my daughter to bed at night (not every night though). My entire immediate family (mom, dad and sister) enjoys having cocktails at celebratory events and get-togethers. From time to time, I have definitely wondered if this was "normal" behavior or if I was bordering on some type of alcohol problem. I have asked my boyfriend how he feels about our drinking habits and he has told me that he thinks we drink normally, if not less, than his European family and friends drink. But I have always questioned it. I have also asked my family if they felt I drank too much and they have said no.

Until reading your blog about being a high functioning alcoholic, I never thought that I could possibly have alcoholism. I don't drink every single night and I have never had withdrawals or anything like that. I have never missed a day of work due to a hangover (I know, common symptom of a HFA). I feel fully confident that I could stay within the 7 drinks per week/3 per day guidelines that I have seen on your blog -- I just never before knew those were the guidelines!

In your honest opinion, do I sound like someone who has HFA or a drinking problem? I just feel really confused and I don't want to be in denial of a potential problem that I may have or hurt my body by being ignorant.

Thank you Sarah!

I'm in the process of trying to work out whether I have a problem or 'just like a drink.' After battling drug addictions in the past, now I only drink wine - as it's socially acceptable and 'only having a few.'

Thanks for your article.

It is true, physiologically, that alcohol is alcohol and an excess of beer, wine, or bourbon will get you inebriated. But mythologically speaking, wine has a special place, and mythology has a great deal to do with psychology, motivation, and the various games that we play. Wine is connected to gods like the Greek Dionysus and through him to the desire for deep connection with others, mystical union, and divine inspiration.
breast actives
I know, I know, many of us choose to drink wine because beer gets us bloated and for other, "practical" reasons but consider too, the spirit of the god and the particular conviviality wine induces.

a glass of wine is about 10 calories. When those of us who are watching our weight (caloric intake/exercise) drink a glass of wine we need to keep track of the calories. Also when you drink you tend to relax your discipline and tend to eat ore than you should... hence a weight gain just by drinking a glass of wine.

I'm working in a bar and this one time a guy comes in with his entourage. I offered him a beer, but he said he can't drink beer while he's operating a boat, so instead he chugged down a bottle and half of red wine.