Litchfield 54

amount as men their size and weight become intoxicated more quickly.” Excessive drinking can cause a host of problems, including pancreati- tis, liver disease, memory loss, dementia, and for pregnant women, fetal alcohol syndrome. Women with a history of breast cancer are advised to discuss safe levels of alcohol consumption with their physicians. In addi- tion, a significant risk for women who binge drink is the loss of control that results. “Women who binge drink are most at risk from the men they are with at the time,” states Dr. Forman. “Of course they are at risk for alcohol poisoning and car accidents, but mostly, it is men they must be aware of. They need to have someone they trust around to protect them from indulging in behaviors they will regret the next day.” Recommended levels of safe drinking set guidelines, but they don’t tell

FIRST OF ALL, EXPERTS AGREE, THERE IS NO DISTINCTION TO BE MADE BETWEEN TYPES OF ALCOHOL. THERE IS NO GOOD AND BAD ALCOHOL. WINE IS NOT “JUST WINE.”

the whole story. “It’s not so much about how much you drink, but what happens once you begin,” explains Erin Goodhart, a clinical su- pervisor at Caron Treatment Center in Wer- nersville, Pa., where patients with a variety of addictive disorders are treated. “Many women can maintain an appear- ance of normal drinking. They can seem- ingly manage the kids, the partner, and the career. It all looks good on the outside. They may go to a work dinner and have a few drinks. But those two or three drinks at the business function can turn into a bottle or two when they get home. If you can’t predict what will happen once you begin, then you have a problem.” Says Goodhart, “you have to ask yourself, ‘are you beginning to have family problems, do you prefer to drink than do other things, have you been the recipient of comments from the workplace that your productiv- ity is decreasing, are you driving under the influence?’ Those are lines in the sand that are crossed. Almost always, there is a level of denial that comes with it.” “If you are asking the question, you have a problem,” says Dr. Foreman. Dr. Forman says he treats a number of women who are concerned about their drink- ing. “One of the greatest rewards of my work is helping women achieve the right level of drinking for themselves. That may be respon- sible alcohol consumption, or no alcohol con- sumption. Today there are many tools to help women drink less. Medicines, psychotherapy, self-help groups are all available. If you are concerned about your drinking, do not sit on that concern. Speak with your doctor, or your friends and family if you are comfortable do- ing so. The people in your life can be a power- ful help to your recovery.” Bonnie Adler is a writer and long-time local reporter in Westport, CT. *

WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM 59

Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter