Book giveaway: Drink: The Intimate Relationship between women and drink by Anne Dowsett Johnston - Post a question to the author

[RachelMumsnet]

Last year Ann Dowsett Johnston wrote a guest blog for Mumsnet which shared details of her relationship with alcohol. The blog prompted much discussion from mumsnetters, many of whom were concerned about their own drinking habits. One mnetter wrote: 'drinking is insidious - it creeps up and at some point you might find it has you by the throat'. Ann's research for the book found that they are not alone; in the developed world, the gender gap on risky drinking is closing and that binge drinking is increasing particularly among women.

In her intimate and startlingly honest book, Ann Dowsett Johnston uses the research alongside her own story of personal recovery, to highlight the impact this shocking epidemic has on society as well as individual lives.

We've got 50 copies of the book to giveaway and Ann is joining us to answer your questions about her own experiences in her personal life and researching the book. Find out more, apply for a free copy and post a question to author Ann Dowsett Johnston on this thread.

This sounds a really interesting book and I'd love a copy. For all my working life I've worked with people who drink alcohol regularly and it's only now in the last year since working with a couple of people who don't drink alcohol for religious reasons that I've noticed how much we all talk about and look forward to drinking, particularly the evening glass or two of wine. It sounds like a book so many of us should be reading.

The more I look at it the more I realise how it's easy to develop a screwed up relationship with alcohol. Lots of people I know are sort of borderline on the scale of how much dependence on crutches like that is healthy. And then it's much easier (necessary) to make excuses for yourself and others.
I've applied for a copy....be interested to see what the author has to say esp. in view of her personal experience.

I hope I get a copy of this as it sounds so interesting.

I've noticed how many women use alcohol as a real psychological crutch - maybe not binge drinking, but every day they 'have' to have a glass of wine. Or two. Or three. And everything rotates around booze - bad day, need a drink; good day, drink to celebrate and so on.

Its really worrying imo as many people just seem to be unable to stop.

I hope I get a copy too, I would be really interested to read this book.

All the females in my immediate family, including myself, have a unhealthy relationship with alcohol by using it to avoid our more painful emotions - which of course doesn't work.

It really is amazing to see what a huge part alcohol plays in our society and how acceptable it is to use it as a crutch.

I would love a copy of this book.

There is so much alcoholism in my family. When I was younger I drank to excess myself. But the last 3 years I rarely drink at all, combination of motherhood and an illness that does mot react well to alcohol. I am slimmer and healthier than I have ever been. I did not realise that those excess few pounds I carried were pure alcohol. I also cannot face not feeling chipper in the mornings!

I've entered, really interested in this. Another survivor of an alcoholic parent, and if I'm honest, I drink to excess myself and worry about becoming dependent.

I'm interested in this too. From what I've read Anne was in rehab. But that's not an option for all of us, and I'd be interested to know what Anne's views are on distancing yourself from alcohol if you are not in rehab....

Also, for anyone who is struggling now, there are a couple of ongoing threads on relationships - the Brave Babes thread, and the DRY thread. Both full of real people here (maybe living in the next street to you) who are cutting back, or cutting down, or cutting drink out altogether. Read them, try them, find something that suits. And even if neither of them are for you you will probably find some stories that are similar to yours. You're not alone. And you're not alone in wanting to do something about it.

Looking forward to reading this book and the Q&A having been someone who over years found habitual drinking creeping up on me. I have cut out all alcohol and have not had a drink for 3 months and twenty something days. For those cutting out I second the reading of the DRY threads here, very supportive

I find this subject fascinating - i've can recall a number of negative situations that drinking has put me in as once I had started it was difficult to stop and horrendous hangovers that have left me feeling negative and drained. I drink less now as I have an illness that conflicts with alcohol and will only have a couple of glasses of red wine when i do instead of mixing or drinking until i've no recollection of what I was doing, but still have many friends who enjoy their evening drink and don't see this as a problem - what would you consider a problem and what's not ?

I work in a public health type role and would love to deepen my knowledge on drinking and how womens relationship with drinking has evolved in order to best support families in the community. This book would be useful to me as it sounds like it would show a true impact of drinking on lives and i could also share it with colleagues. I would like to apply for a free copy. Thanks

I would like to hear the author's view on why binge drinking is seen as socially acceptable.

I'd like to ask the following please :)
The idea of a mum having a glass of wine at the end of the day is an image I see a lot, put forward as an almost expected part of motherhood. In the same way that drinking at all in pregnancy is often demonised.

In my own experience this is seen as much more socially acceptable than a mother who goes out and gets drunk at the weekend for example. That glass of wine can become a bottle easily, it did for me.

Does Ann think that women and in particular mothers, are given powerful and conflicting messages around their use of alcohol?

I've entered the draw and hope I get a chance to read the book, Ann's story sounds fascinating.

I wondered what Ann feels about the type of help the NHS should offer the women she describes. My impression is that they would not want to go to the local alcohol and drug centre for the classic alcoholic that is in a grotty part of town. What should GP and practice nurses be offering instead? What type of advice or counselling would help? I have entered the draw and hope I get a copy. I am a HCP and feel I need more guidance in how to help this group. Thank you

Please Id love a copy, me and partner are both alcoholics. I dont drink now neither does he, if I do I cant stop. I know only too well how easy it is to get into and get a grip. Also have alcoholics in the family and have lost friends and family to alcohol and drugs.
Id like to know why are GPs so reluctant to prescribe diazepam to recovering alcoholics? When I stopped drinking my nerves were shot and diazepam really worked wonders calming me down. I still suffer badly with anxiety but ny GP wont prescribe diazepam, I have to buy it from friend who gets it prescribed. I know its very addictive but Id probably go back on the drink without it.

I'd really appreciate a copy too. As the daughter and
ex wife of alcoholics drink was something I was very
wary of but I've noticed in the last two or three years
that my consumption has increased to the point that
it's changed the shape of my red blood cells. Not because I'm dependent but because I binge. Definitely something that I need to explore and address.

This giveaway is now closed. We will notify those who have been selected to receive a free copy via email.

Book arrived this morning, thank you.
I'm looking forward to reading it :)

Book arrived this morning, thank you!

Can't wait to get started, and will of course report back!

Mine is here too :-)

got mine too, thanks very much!

plan to start it tonight
maybe with a glass of red by my side

Okay, so I really liked it and read it in two sittings. The first book I've read quickly in a while.

The thing that really stood out was the undercurrent of sympathy throughout, which can't necessarily have been that easy to manage given the OP was an alcoholic herself- she came across as courageous in that, there must have been a lot of complicated feelings for her while writing the book. Specially since with something like addiction, there'll always be a shadow lurking in the form of asking who's to blame, trying to pin the responsibility on something or someone. I did feel it was a bit pop psych in parts but as a book which is supposed to be accessible to people who have problems with alcohol, that's appropriate. I would have like to hear the author's voice a little more but felt the stories from the (generous and brave) people she interviewed made it an impressive book.

I agree with quirrelquarrel

It is a good mix of personal stories and information and it is very accessible. I was very interested in the sections looking at both the way women are targeted by an advertisers and also the link between university education and drinking culture. My own issues around alcohol was fueled by the culture of drinking at university and also the idea of alcohol being used to demonstrate I was 'one of the boys'.

This is probably the best book I have read on the topic of alcohol and women.

I haven't yet received my copy but I'm looking forward to reading it in the wake of finishing dry January!

I'm only a couple of chapters in... but what has grabbed me most so far, is that you don't have to be dependent on alcohol, to be a problem drinker.

god! I've just realised I've called the author Anne Dowser the 'OP'. seriously? i need to get off Mumsnet!

I do hope this book will be popular tho. It could be very helpful to many.