Have you ever heard of the term “mommy wine culture?” It has become increasingly common in recent years. This culture involves the act of mothers making light of heavy wine consumption or alluding that they need wine to effectively parent or get through the day. 

Perhaps you have seen the sweatshirts that say “mama needs wine” or even the wine tumblers that say phrases like “mommy’s sippy cup” or “mommy juice” at the store recently. There are even the mugs, t-shirts, and sweatshirts that say “this mama runs on coffee and wine,” or similar phrases. Perhaps most concerning is that this type of culture is even making its way into the infant clothing business. Children’s onesies are being printed with phrases like “mommy drinks because I whine.” These items often pop up during holidays like Mother’s Day or Christmas. 

While these sorts of phrases may seem light-natured at first glance, this sort of culture can be quite dangerous and can even affect how children come to understand what alcohol is and how it should be used. 

The Dangers of Mommy Wine Culture 

There are many reasons why mommy wine culture can be dangerous and damaging, but some of the primary reasons include: 

• It sends the message that mothers need to have wine not only to parent but on a constant basis. 
• It may cause a child to think that they are the reason that their mother feels as if she has to consume alcohol.
• It involves making light of alcohol and addiction, which is something very serious that should not be joked about. 
• It sends a message to new moms that they will need alcohol to get through motherhood and that it is a necessary part of being in the “mom club.”
• This culture suggests that drinking alcohol is a normal, healthy way to deal with stress when in reality, this practice is considered self-medicating. 
• Much of this culture involves joking about alcoholism, something that is not only incredibly dangerous but can be life-threatening. Alcohol addiction is not uncommon and impacts families around the world. 
• This culture can be insensitive to a broad group of people, including those who had an alcoholic mother themselves, sober mothers in recovery, and those who have a traumatic history associated with someone who abused alcohol. 
• This culture essentially minimizes the strength, mental state, and capabilities of a mother by suggesting that she would need to turn to alcohol as a way to cope with motherhood and that she would be unable to handle the struggles of everyday life on her own. 
• This culture suggests that heavy drinking is acceptable, which can cause a mother currently struggling with alcohol use to think that they do not have a problem after all. This in turn can cause them to avoid getting the professional help they really need. 
• This culture sends the message that the best way to deal with your feelings is to avoid them by using alcohol to help you temporarily forget them instead of confronting them head-on. Masking emotional distress with alcohol long-term can cause mental and physical damage later. 

Determining if You Have a Problem With Alcohol 

Have you been affected by “mommy wine culture” and believe that you may have a problem with alcohol? The best way to determine whether or not this is true is to ask yourself the following questions and answer as honestly as possible:

• Have you tried to cut back or quit using alcohol but struggled or failed to do so? 
• Have you continued to use alcohol despite it causing arguments or strains within certain relationships?
• Do you use alcohol to cope with anxiety, depression, or stress? 
• Has your alcohol use kept you from meeting certain deadlines, performing your best at work or school, or being productive? 
• Do you spend a lot of time recovering from alcohol use, for example staying in bed with a hangover the next morning? 
• Do you often end up drinking more than you initially planned? 
• Has your alcohol use caused financial struggle? 
• Have you accidentally hurt yourself or engaged in risky behavior while drinking? 
• Have any of your friends or family members approached you about your drinking and suggested you may have a problem?

If you answered yes to any or many of these questions, you may have a substance use disorder and need professional treatment. This is not something you should be embarrassed or ashamed of, but you should speak to your doctor right away. They can help you determine if inpatient or outpatient therapy is necessary. They can also help connect you with a treatment facility and provide you with any medications you may need. Do not wait; seek help today. 

“Mommy wine culture” is the act of making light of heavy drinking or suggesting that a mother would need alcohol around the clock to cope with the stresses of motherhood. There are many articles of clothing printed with phrases like “mama needs wine” and even cups with sayings like “mommy’s sippy cup.” This culture is very damaging as it is essentially joking about alcoholism, insensitive towards those affected by alcoholism, and sends the message that a woman would be incapable of handling motherhood without turning to substance use. It can also cause a mother who is an alcoholic to avoid getting help. If you are struggling with a substance use disorder, there is hope, and you do not have to continue living this way. Our team at The Kimberly Center is here for you. Call (855) 452-3683 today to learn more about the types of treatment we provide.