Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

[Dr. Melfi]

I'm new here, taking Topamax, the supplements, listening to the CDs, and starting exercise. I'm having a lot of success and am grateful for the community.

Reading over a lot of the posts I notice vast references to people's tendency to drink wine. My own drink of choice, too, is wine.

Is it our age group? Education level? The fact that there are more women here than men? Why so much wine? Is it because wine is more "socially acceptable" than other drinks, that drinking wine is almost considered "sophisticated" nowadays?

I'm 47, a professional woman, never had a problem with alcohol in my life until about three or four years ago, and everything slowly but surely went downhill for me -- with wine. What started out as seemingly sophisticated became downright ugly and vulgar, topping off with either two nightly 750 mg. bottles or one huge bottle -- and this went on for at least a year until I detoxed myself right before New Year's this past holiday. I won't even go into what I would do when I was that intoxicated. And the feelings of guilt, remorse, shame, self-loathing, were simply devastating.

What about others? What's been your experience with wine?

All best to all of you,
Dr. Melfi:thanks:

[debruce]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Oh my goodness, I sound just like you or vice versa......I am 49 and keep thinking that maybe this has something to do with change of life???? What do you think???? Any ideas.
I was never this crazy. I have anxiety, loss of confidence, all this problem with alcohol.....and it has all escalated in the last few years.
PS I actually work for a dr, so we do have something in common
xxx

[Last Of The Summer Wine]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Hi Doc - I am a wine drinker too and I also have noticed that wine seems to be the "weapon of mass destruction" for many people here, mostly women as you say, but several men also. I could have any number of bottles of spirits, cans of beer in the house and never dream of having just one sip - in fact my hubby bought a case of Guiness to drink one weekend while watching rugby on TV - he in fact drank just one can and the rest of the case is sitting in the porch, with no takers what so ever. There is also a huge bottle of cider in the fridge which might well go past it's sell by date and get poured down the sink! But wine, ooh my - dry white wine, not red, hate red, would rather drink warm water than red - strange really and I have no answers, but interesting topic, so thanks!
J

[Cinders]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Dr Melfi,

I can't truly answer except that I have always loved the taste of red wine.

"Red, red wine you (used to) make me feel so fine!!"

Cindi

[4theboyz]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Wine was a feel good beverage for me always associated with a good meal and a relaxing "special" time. One glass did lead to two or three and never left wine in the bottle! Too much wine *always* gave me the worst of worst hangovers just nasty so I steered away and vodka was my poison of choice.

[Palatia]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Good thread... I'm 46 and my drink of choice would be wine, but I feel I can't afford it. And I long ago got too much shame to walk into the local liquor store every day (picturing point fingers etc), so I drank 3.2 beer from the gas station next door.. The guys who work there were like my bartender, so to speak... lol..

Maybe we just feel more cultured if we drink wine.. maybe it gets us buzzed quicker.. idk.. I gave up hard liquor a long time ago and slowly moved down in strength... what I've read is typical for an alcoholic over the years..

[Noelle]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Being an age thing for women? I'm not sure, but for me I switched to wine because my favorite vodka got me too drunk and sloppy too fast. But then I drank even more wine, even faster. So it ended up being about the same.

[Palatia]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

secondchance;300295 wrote: Good question, doc. One I have posed here before, bout the age thing for women that is. I just turned 50 and years ago I drank the hard stuff or wine. I was one to come home and have a few with hubby, before, during and after dinner. Drank too much, but never really out of control.

I'm not sure when I switched over to only wine, Chardonnay to be specific. Maybe 15 yrs ago? But I have definately noticed a difference in how it effects my the last 2-3 yrs. It is unpredictable, sometimes I can be sweet as pie, and other times the she devil comes out in me! I had a hysterectomy a while back, so I'm not sure where I stand with menopause, but I'm sure I'm somewhere in the midst of it.

I personally, just like the way wine makes me feel (well used to anyways). The hard stuff makes me feel weird...ergo I don't drink it.

Oh boy, I can relate to the she devil.. for me it's red wine. There is some enzyme in red wine that my body can Not tolerate... I warned ppl I was with if I was going to drink red wine...

[Noelle]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

I warned ppl I was with if I was going to drink red wine...

LOL Pal!!!!!!

[MyHeartIsDrenchedInWine]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

I think I just met my twin

[Last Of The Summer Wine]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

"I warned ppl I was with if I was going to drink red wine... ":H Okay you people, I am drinking red wine tonight and I am going to be nasty to you - so don't come crying to me tomorrow!!!:H sorry Palatia, but I am with Noelle on this - made me laugh, but sadly I know what you mean - super bitch often spoiled the party, but couldn't remember much in the morning! You did make me laugh, thanks!!!
J

[Palatia]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

lol... glad you got a laugh.. it is funny!! lol.. "By the way, red wine sometimes does something to me.. so consider yourself forewarned... "

[Suzanna]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Good questions. I am 49 but always have been into the wine, for almost 30 years with a short 4 year break in there. Chardonnay is my choice when I am thinking about drinking, but it gives me super nasty headache next day (ya think?). I have switched to the pinots because I heard they have less tannins, grigio for white and noir for red. But cheap wine is cheap and so I still get the headaches. Beer could sit in the fridge and be safe from me, but I would drink liquor if it is around. Luckily it is not around, hubby doesn't drink here, he has his saturday night supply of rum at his friend's house where they play in a band and hang out. I am happy to say that I have cut WAY back! AF during the week and mods (mostly) on Friday/Saturday.

[Hovercat]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Vodka mainly, and the cheapest bottles of white wine I could lay my hands on! One of the supermarkets do small (well about a 3rd of a bottle) cans of wine which were perfect for glugging on the way home from work. Then I'd smuggle voddy into the house and continue from there. I drank spirits manily because it did the job quicker and it was easier to hide the smaller bottles.

[Sunbeam]

Wine, Wine, Wine -- Survey Says???

Wine was my AL of choice, but also vodka (good mixer), and bourbon to mix wiith apple cider.