Mommy’s Little Helper
We’ve all heard about, “Mommy’s Little Helper”. The Rolling Stones dedicated a song to it back in 1966. In the 60’s when Valium or benzodiazepines were over prescribed throughout the nation to help Mothers through their day in today’s culture it’s a store-bought elixir, alcohol that helps mommies get through their daily grind.
Now more than ever, women are being pulled in many directions; they wear many hats, yet despite all they do, somehow, it’s never enough. Women who choose to stay home to take care of their families are looked down upon for embracing the outdated misogynistic gender role, while those who choose to work outside of the home are made to feel guilty for choosing their profession over their families. Mothers are overworked and underappreciated so it’s no surprise they look for help and acceptance in culturally accepted ways.
The Mommy drinking culture has been accepted by society now and throughout history. Today it is perfectly acceptable for there to be juice boxes for kids and wine boxes for moms at playdates. However, many women are finding themselves in a downward spiral, as their lives become unmanageable; families, relationships, health, and jobs are being neglected because of alcohol.
So, how does Mommy know they may have a problem with alcohol?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you feel like you cannot control your drinking or stop drinking entirely?
- Are you feeling guilty about your drinking?
- Has drinking been prioritized over family, friends, work, etc.?
- Do you regularly have strong urges or the desire to drink or crave alcohol?
- Are you continuing to drink alcohol despite having health, legal, or interpersonal/social problems?
- Do you find that you have to drink larger amounts of alcohol to experience the same effects?
- Have you experienced alcohol withdrawal symptoms (shakes, sweats, mood swings/ agitation, anxiety, nausea) that lessen or completely disappear when you drink alcohol?
If you answered yes to at least two of these questions, you may have a drinking problem. Brookside Family Therapy has therapists experienced in substance abuse that can help.
If someone you know is struggling with their drinking, please call SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889, it is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. (https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline)
Photo credit: Zachary Kadolph via Upsplash