Do you ever find yourself self-medicating? Well, I certainly do. After a long, chaotic day at home or a particularly stressful day at work, I often feel I’ve earned that glass of wine at dinner. And when sleepless nights pile up, a Tylenol PM sometimes seems like the perfect solution to help me unwind. Is this a bad habit? Am I on the fast track to rehab?
I can’t be the only one in this boat. A quick scroll through social media reveals countless jokes about moms and their love for wine, portraying us as perpetually stressed-out women on the brink of a meltdown. These memes resonate with me because, let’s face it, some days the only silver lining to a tough day is the thought of that soothing glass of wine waiting for me after the kiddos are tucked in.
I came across a thought-provoking piece in The Atlantic discussing how the trend of moms self-medicating with alcohol has become so normalized that many of us overlook its potential dangers. The article highlights how, in the ’70s and ’80s, pop culture glorified pill-popping more than drinking. But after realizing the addictive nature of certain medications like Vicodin, society has shifted its focus to the ever-present “wino mom.”
It gets deeper, too. The article explores the immense pressure we place on ourselves to be everything to everyone, so much so that we often feel the need to self-medicate just to cope. I can relate. Some nights I’m so wound up by day’s end that I feel physically ill. Other times, it’s monster headaches that feel like boulders pressing down on me.
Just last night, I reached my breaking point at 7:18 p.m. while trying to get my son ready for a bath. I felt myself completely shut down. My husband, noticing my distress, took over and told me to rest. He’s familiar with that look, and trust me, it’s not a pretty sight.
So what’s a mom to do? I crawled into bed by 7:30 p.m. because I could. However, I can’t do that every night. Usually, the evenings are when I prep the kids’ lunches for school, tackle the dinner dishes, switch laundry to prevent mildew, and manage bills. Even after the kids are asleep, my responsibilities as an adult don’t just disappear.
On nights when a 7:30 bedtime isn’t feasible, I sometimes pour myself a glass of wine instead. The beauty of it is that I can sip and feel like I’m treating myself while still checking off my to-do list. Is it self-medicating? Maybe. But I’m also multitasking! It feels good to think that I’m not being selfish but rather enjoying a well-deserved moment of relaxation after a long day.
But just as we start to feel guilty enough about our choices, now we’re told to feel bad about this luxury too. I get it, but I can’t help but internally scream, “Please don’t take this from us!”
I can’t ignore that guilt, especially with addiction being a part of my family history. Every sip comes with a reminder of that reality. Can I still enjoy this small pleasure while that thought looms over me? Am I playing a dangerous game every time I uncork a bottle?
If I were to set the wine glass down, would I need to seek out a healthier method of unwinding? Perhaps. Or maybe, I should focus on reducing the stressors in my life altogether. But let’s be real—how practical is that? In a world where parents are expected to juggle being caregivers, breadwinners, crafty Pinterest enthusiasts, and active PTA members, we’re all told we should manage it while looking fabulous. No excuses! Or else, we risk becoming “that” mom — the one everyone whispers about for not being able to keep it together. Now that’s a label I’d rather avoid.
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Summary:
Balancing motherhood, work, and personal well-being can be a daunting task, leading many moms to self-medicate, often with wine or other substances. This article explores the normalization of this behavior and the guilt that accompanies it, while also addressing the pressures of modern parenting. The author reflects on the challenges of finding healthy coping mechanisms amidst the chaos of daily life.