Drinking and how it changed my life: Ann Dowsett-Johnston at TEDxHomeBushRdWomen

Summary

In this emotional and insightful talk, the speaker reflects on her journey as a high-functioning alcoholic and her struggle to confront the truth about her addiction. She shares personal stories, including the impact on her family and the turning point of her recovery. The talk explores broader issues like the increasing alcohol consumption among women, the influence of marketing, and the dangers of self-medication. Ultimately, the speaker highlights her sobriety journey, emphasizing the importance of overcoming denial and finding strength in recovery.

Takeaways

• 😀 A writer visits heaven and hell, noticing that both places have writers working under pressure. The difference: in heaven, they get published.
• 📚 The speaker celebrates publishing her first book, but also reveals that she has publicly outed herself as an alcoholic in the process.
• 👩‍💼 The modern alcoholic is often a well-educated, high-functioning woman, a stigma the speaker acknowledges after struggling with her own addiction.
• 🖋️ Alcoholism is a secret life for many, and the speaker shares that despite not fitting the stereotype, she too suffered from the disease.
• 👪 The speaker reflects on her mother's struggle with alcohol and Valium, which shaped her determination not to follow the same path.
• 💔 A handmade card from her son with the message 'Perrier, not wine' became a turning point for the speaker, revealing that her family noticed her drinking problem.
• 🍷 Alcoholism can progress over time, and it took the speaker several years after recognizing her problem to finally quit drinking.
• 🌍 Women are drinking more than ever before, and societal marketing strategies, including 'chick drinks' and 'mommy juice,' have contributed to this trend.
• 🔄 The alcohol industry has actively marketed towards women, with sweet, vodka-infused drinks targeting young females as early as high school.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes the need for policy changes, such as limiting alcohol marketing and accessibility, to combat the rise in problematic drinking, especially among women.

Q & A

What was the key difference between heaven and hell in the story about writers?

The key difference was that in heaven, the writers get published, whereas in hell, they do not.

Why did the speaker consider outing herself as an alcoholic a 'bad news' moment?

The speaker considered it 'bad news' because she became a very public face of alcoholism, outing herself as the poster girl for the modern alcoholic, which could carry social stigma and potentially affect her professional opportunities.

What three underlying questions did the speaker feel were behind people asking her why she wrote her book?

The speaker felt the underlying questions were: 1) Are you crazy? 2) Don’t you realize you’ll never get hired again? 3) How much did you drink?

How did the speaker's mother influence her views on alcoholism?

The speaker’s mother was a beautiful but lonely woman who became an alcoholic by mixing Valium with alcohol. Seeing her mother’s deterioration over three decades influenced the speaker's strong belief that she would never become an alcoholic, which she later struggled with.

What event caused the speaker to finally realize that she could no longer deny her alcoholism?

The turning point came when the speaker’s 22-year-old son gave her a handmade card that praised her for drinking Perrier instead of wine, which made her realize that her family had noticed her excessive drinking and that she could no longer deny being an alcoholic.

What were the three reasons the speaker identified for why women are drinking more in modern society?

The three reasons identified were: 1) Alcohol has become a 'modern woman's steroid,' helping her cope with the pressures of a still-evolving world. 2) Self-medication for issues like stress, depression, and anxiety. 3) Women are drinking more because they can, and they are being marketed to heavily by the alcohol industry.

What role does alcohol marketing play in increased alcohol consumption among women, according to the speaker?

Alcohol marketing has heavily targeted women since the mid-1990s, with the introduction of 'alcopops' and sweetened, pre-packaged drinks aimed at young women. These drinks are marketed as feminine and fun, encouraging women to drink more, starting at a younger age.

What did the speaker suggest could be done on a policy level to address the global rise in alcohol consumption?

The speaker suggested three policy actions: 1) Reduce alcohol marketing, especially to young people. 2) Implement pricing strategies to make alcohol less accessible, particularly in countries where it is cheaper than other staples. 3) Regulate accessibility, such as limiting where alcohol can be sold.

How did the speaker’s life change after five years of sobriety?

After five years of sobriety, the speaker experienced significant personal growth and healing. She repaired relationships with her family, including her son, sister, and mother, and regained her passion for writing and her own voice. However, she also faced challenges, such as the end of a long-term romantic relationship.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'alcogenic culture'?

The speaker refers to an 'alcogenic culture' as a societal environment where alcohol is prevalent, widely accepted, and even encouraged in social settings, making it harder for individuals to recognize and address unhealthy drinking habits.