Last week, Maria Shriver had a very interesting segment on TODAY. It was called, The ‘Mommy Juice’ Trend: How Do You Know When You Have a Problem?

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“On some play dates these days, the clinking of wine glasses accompanies the laughter of children as parents relax with a drink while their kids frolic.

For many moms, alcohol is a harmless antidote to anxiety, but experts worry that more women are drinking to excess and putting themselves and their kids at risk.

“I’m seeing it widespread across the country – an increase of moms, particularly with young kids, coming in for treatment,” Deni Carise, deputy chief clinical officer at CRC Health Group, the nation’s largest provider of addiction treatment, told Maria Shriver on TODAY.

In a TODAY.com survey, almost 40 percent of respondents said drinking helps them cope with the stress of being a parent and more than one-third said they have mom friends who they think have a problem with alcohol.

Wine is the beverage of choice, with more than half of respondents naming it as their preferred alcoholic drink.” – Today.Com

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How do you know if you have a drinking problem? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests asking yourself these questions:

  • Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
  • Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
  • Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
  • Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

They state that one “yes” answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. If you responded “yes” to more than one question, it is likely that you have a problem with alcohol.

Heavy topic here.

I urge you to read this post from guest blogger Ann Dowsett Johnston titled The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol.

I’d love to know, do you use alcohol as a way to relax? Is this something you struggled or struggle with (and please feel free to comment anonymously)? I know I love my glass of wine every few nights, and I admit, I love the feeling that the glass gives me. I think this is a relatable topic for many – I don’t necessarily mean full-blown alcoholism, I mean the 6 o’clock glass of wine many pour while cooking dinner, or after work, or while doing homework… you know, to take the edge off.  What are your thoughts on this topic?

Erica3