Wine-no, Wine-not

The wine-oholic's dilemma.

Feb 05, 2024

Successfully, I am recovering from my addiction with alcohol to find I still enjoy a glass of wine. I have a wine dilemma. Do I allow myself a glass of wine? Wine-no or wine-not are my choices.

My Wine Dilemma

My History with Alcohol

First let me explain… I do not discriminate. For thirty years of my life I learned to love all types of alcohol.
In college it was beer. I settled for the cheap beer, the beer one would find in a keg, located in a dingy basement.
In my early to mid twenties it was wine. I discovered the magnum bottle of wine, the wine in the big bottle, or better yet, boxed in a pretty package.
And into adulthood my taste matured to liquor. The evening started with a mixed drink, because we know liquor before beer never fear!
I think you get it! It should be clear, alcohol has evolved into each stage of my life. Today I find myself at a new stage.

Do you or a friend struggle with your alcoholic past and question, “Can I allow myself a glass of wine?”

The cheap beer I once drank, 4.4% Rolling Rock, evolved into the trendy craft beers, 7% IPA. Today, I prefer the alcohol-free variety. I enjoy the taste of a beer, but have no desire for the effects. One non-alcoholic beer is filling and satisfies my thirst.

Liquor

Cocktails have transitioned into mocktails. If hosting a dinner and I want to join the others in a before dinner drink, a healthy grapefruit paloma mocktail will do. At one time I craved an expresso or lemon-drop martini, but today I don’t see a purpose in drinking alcoholic cocktails.

Non-alcoholic spirits are trending. Celebrities and influencers are recognizing the health benefits of being alcohol-free. Please share what non-alcoholic alternative you prefer.

Wine. My Real Dilemma

This is where I need to ask myself the question, “Wine-no or wine-not?” Admittedly, I really do enjoy a glass of wine. I like the taste. I like how it complements food. Simply put… I think I might be a wine-oholic!

The problem I have with wine is that non-alcoholic wines suck or at least I haven’t found one I like. So then the question might be, “Am I an alcoholic because I desire a glass of wine?” I don’t think so, because it isn’t the feeling of being inebriated that I obsess over, but the taste. And I truly find one glass of wine will satisfy that taste.

The problem is that most wines are high in alcohol content, so I am putting my sobriety at risk. But the good news, and it is very good news for the wine-oholic, the vineyards are recognizing America’s problem with alcohol. There are several good options for lower-calorie, less ABV wines to enjoy without compromising a healthy lifestyle.

Wouldn’t you know Kim Crawford, a New Zealand wine maker, which makes what used to be my favorite Sauvignon Blanc (12.5-14% ABV) offers a low calorie, 7% alternative, Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc. Although I will allow myself one glass of wine, when given the option this is what I prefer.

The Winos Wine Dilemma

Wino per Dictionary.com is an indiscriminate drinker of wine or other readily available alcoholic beverages who is frequently intoxicated, especially a derelict who lives on the streets. During the time when I abused alcohol, I may not have been the dictionary version of a wino, but admittedly so, I have stumbled on the streets and have been in a derelict condition.
The question is… “Do you drink the wine?” No or sure, why not? Only you can answer this question. For me it took careful consideration before I could introduce alcohol back into my lifestyle. I lived the non-alcoholic lifestyle for approximately 18 months. During that time I did the work needed to evaluate my life.
How to tell if I have a drinking problem?
We have a decision to make… “What kind of woman do I want to be?” The alcohol clouds our decision making and masks our struggles. It was necessary to abstain for a period of time and my decision is to fixate on myself, not the alcohol I consume.

I say, “Wine-not.”

Mindfulness is a practice I have put into place when deciding on a glass of wine. This allows me the confidence to say, “wine-not.” To learn more about learn more about mindful drinking read “What is mindful drinking? How can it help your mental health?”
It is a personal choice on how someone handles their sobriety. Many of my friends who I have met along the way have decided to forgo alcohol all together. My choice is to not give alcohol the attention it thinks it deserves. Sobriety can mean different things to different people. To truly have a sober-mind, it is about my priorities and keeping my relationship with Christ right. To learn more about sober-minded read Sobriety Challenged or Sober-minded.