Pittwater Life December 2020 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Sobering
stats for
Northern
Beaches
women
Northern Sydney Local
Health District (NSLHD)
recently asked Northern
Beaches women aged between
35 and 59 for their opinions
and experiences with alcohol
– and were shocked to find
that 56% per cent of female respondents
believed there was
problematic drinking among
their peers.
Lee, a recovering alcoholic
currently living in Freshwater,
wasn’t shocked. Despite
being sober herself for over a
decade, she believes that the
figure might be higher.
“Yes, in my opinion, the
Northern Beaches has a
problem with drink,” she told
Pittwater Life. “It’s very, very
rare – even at school functions
– not to see people drinking.
“With the advent of COVID,
and less people out drinking
socially, I think there might
be lots of hidden drinkers at
home – like I was.”
Certainly ‘wine o’clock’ has
become a casual normality for
many. A majority of Australians
drink alcohol for fun, to
be social and to reduce stress.
Females are no different in
that respect; but according
to the NSHLD survey, many
are looking to reduce their
consumption – almost 50% of
moderate to high-risk female
drinkers are looking for steps
to cut back.
NSHLD are exploring strategies
to help Northern Beaches
women to reduce their intake
and thus avoid potential medical
problems or alcohol-related
harms. Controlled drinking
programs, mental health
initiatives and education can
all be helpful.
It gets really scary though,
if you find you can’t cut down.
“I had a big house, a marriage,
kids and a good car
– I didn’t think I could be an
alcoholic,” Lee reveals. “And
there are a huge chunk of
people who drink every day,
but aren’t alcoholic.
“I was a daily drunk, not a
daily drinker though,” she continues.
“The idea of stopping
after a glass or two of wine
was like torture. And then
when I put the drink down for
any length of time, life didn’t
get better for me. My life was
awful not being able to rely on
alcohol.”
“For many women – and
men – they drink way too
much... it’s a bad habit; but
they can cut back and life
‘I had all these material things that
should have made me okay, but I
couldn’t be happy without a drink. It really
baffled me – I was drinking against
my will. I had everything, but it still
wasn’t enough...’
improves,” Lee explained. “For
some though it’s unrecognised
and untreated alcoholism.
“I had all these material
things that should have
made me okay, but I couldn’t
be happy without a drink.
It really baffled me – I was
drinking against my will. I had
everything, but it still wasn’t
enough.”
“There was a powerlessness
around alcohol and an
unmanageability to my life,”
Lee added. “I think that’s the
difference between being
a big drinker and being an
alcoholic.
“But then neither are particularly
good for you!” she
adds.
Eventually Lee went to Alcoholics
Anonymous and followed
a 12-step program that
has kept her sober for more
than 11 years, and helped her
lead a happy and stable life
without alcohol.
“I avoided the AA meeting
at my old beaches suburb
for a few years, though,” she
laughs. “I thought someone
might know me. Even though
that would have meant they
were an alcoholic as well!”
Whether you’re an alcoholic,
a big drinker, or just like a
social tipple, there’s no harm
looking at your drinking from
time to time. And with the silly
season on the horizon after a
very stressful year, it might be
the perfect time to take stock.
*If you, or someone you
know, might have a problem
with their drinking, call 1300
806 258 or visit gethealthynsw.com.au/alcohol
(all calls
are strictly confidential).
– Jeremy Rollins
66 DECEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2020 67
Health & Wellbeing