First published 2013
American women drink more alcohol today than at any point in history. Journalist Gabrielle Glaser noticed this shift after her third child's birth when neighbors brought baby gifts alongside wine bottles. One note read "One bottle for you, one to share," prompting Glaser to question why she would consume an entire bottle alone while nursing. Women across age groups turn to alcohol to manage work pressure, parenting stress, and family obligations. Young women consume shots of tequila while middle-aged women secretly drink wine bottles during dinner preparation. Senior citizens regularly consume four or more drinks multiple times monthly. Between 1992 and 2007, middle-aged women entering alcohol treatment programs nearly tripled. Glaser traces the history of women and alcohol in America, examining why traditional remedies like Alcoholics Anonymous prove particularly ineffective for women. She documents how this hidden epidemic finally receives public attention as new treatment approaches emerge that address women's specific physical and psychological needs.
Genres: addiction, american, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: hidden-epidemic, personal-journey
Period: 1992-2007
256 pages · Kindle Edition · Simon & Schuster
Content warnings: alcohol-abuse