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Drink

The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol

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About this listen

The new face of risky drinking is female. The problem: a global epidemic of bingeing. The solution: a brave new approach to female recovery.

Eight years ago, Ann Dowsett Johnston was an award-winning journalist and vice-principal of McGill University. In private, she was wrestling the demon that had undone her own mother; the same demon increasing numbers of women are now battling across the world: alcohol.

Aware of her growing dependency, Ann began to document her experiences with drink – the rules she set, and inevitably broke. The diary told a story that was not hers alone. From the 17-year-old heart attack victim to the mother of a child with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, women have bravely shared their own journeys through addiction, creating an alarming composite of the female face of dangerous drinking.

In this startlingly honest book Ann Dowsett Johnson reveals why the relationship between women and alcohol has spiralled out of control. Showing how women can escape from this destructive affair, ‘Drink’ is essential reading for any woman who thinks she has a problem, and for those who care about her.

 Addiction & Recovery Alcoholism Gender Studies Social Sciences Women Substance abuse Heartfelt Health

Critic reviews

Ann Dowsett Johnston has won 5 Canadian National Magazine Awards. Her research for ‘The Drinking Diaries’ took her across the UK, Canada and the USA and she has written on women and alcohol extensively, particularly for the Toronto Star

‘A wallop of a book … full of riveting candour … Johnston brings the weight of her journalism and academic experience to build a convincing case that women are increasingly succumbing to the dark side of alcohol’ Washington Post

‘In this comprehensively researched and insightful book, Ann Dowsett Johnston chronicles her own destructive dance with alcohol, her recovery and explores disturbing trends in contemporary women’s relationship to alcohol. A crucially important book for anyone interested in women’s health and addiction issues.’ Susan Juby, author of ‘Nice Recovery’

‘“Drink” is a gift to women, to parents, and to all who want to understand the experience of alcoholism. The writing is gripping and vivid, the voice personal, the research exacting, the stories revealing if sometimes heartbreaking, the conclusions essential. A triumphant life, a triumphant book.” Gabor Maté M.D., author of “In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction”

‘A game-changing look at one of our culture’s hidden problems … honest, brave and inspirational.’ Margaret Trudeau, author of “Changing My Mind”
All stars
Most relevant
Loved the storytelling and in-depth review from Ann on the marketing industry's impact on alcohol acceptance. the rawness of her own journey was compelling.

A must listen for sober curious

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It is pretty typical American cheese.

The author lost me when she seemed to think having a third glass of wine was the crime of the century. It is not clear how/why she ended up in rehab if this was all she drank.

She skips back and forth between pre- and post- giving up drinking so the train of her journey is not clear. She also randomly intersperses stories from other women.

She talks far too much about her childhood, relationships and child and it is not clear most of the time how these relate to her alleged alcoholism.

On the plus side, she talks intelligently about Scotland and even manages to recognise England & Wales is a separate jurisdiction.

Cheesy but ok.

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I love the way this book is composed, it is not chronologically linear, it brings in various narratives... It feels really intimate, and it feels loving and healing.

This book became my friend

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It’s inconvenient to hear that the way women today drink is dangerous for them, society and future generations. This book could not have come into my life at a more important time. It is not ok how much society accepts the middle class addiction to alcohol, and downplays its consequences. This book gives me clear reasons to stop (I’m a light drinker, not anywhere close to having an addiction but that’s not the point). We spend exceptional amounts on yoga, meditation, retreats, self help books. Do yourself a favour and buy this book. Particularly if you are a high performing, high achieving, financially well off professional woman. Thanks Ann for having the strength to write about such a taboo subject.

One of the most important books I will ever read

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Having heard a few, well just the beginnings of some, books on alcohol / getting sober, I can say I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I found the author's life story fascinating. She was honest, intelligent and the book read like a story i didnt want to put down. The many interviews throughout the book were interesting, thought provoking and gave the angle of the drinker and the family / friends of the drinker, each interview reaffirming why I quit drinking. I was wary about hearing the chapter on spirituality as i read a review on the book and someone had commented that this chapter was about how God was the reason she was able to quit drinking (that was only part of her story), but I enjoyed the chapter and, as someone who believes in something but not specifically a God, I was able to adapt parts to fit my beliefs.
The lady reading the book has such a relaxing, fluid voice, I could listen to her all the time.
I recommend this book to anyone trying to quit drinking and looking for a different angle and constant real life reminders from many different women why you should quit, and for parents who drink around their children.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book

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