The 'mummy wine culture' leading to a surge in alcoholism among middle-aged Aussie women
Melbourne woman Diane Denton has warned against 'wine mum' culture after her sister died following a battle with alcoholism.
'My father was a dependent drinker and I lost my sister to alcohol earlier this year,' she told 7News on Saturday.
'From what I understand, her drinking was quite risky in the end. She was drinking all day, every day.'
Ms Denton's sister died at the age of 49 and the loss has prompted Diane to quit drinking alcohol herself after years of partying.
'My general anxiety, and you know, these bouts of depression have been alleviated.'
Alcohol is the most widely used drug in Australia, according to the National Medical and Research Council (NHMRC).
But the phenomenon of 'mummy wine culture' is on the rise due to a growing reliance of women on alcohol to manage anxiety after having a child, the University of Sydney reported.
One of the common factors is that women have been made to feel as though drinking wine to 'cope' with stress is 'normal', with memes and slogans pushing the idea.
CEO of Hello Sunday Morning Dr Nicole Lee said her organisation, which encourages Australians to cut back on and quit drinking alcohol, has seen a rise in the behaviour.
'We're seeing a concerning increase, particularly in women in middle age,' she said, specifically citing among women aged 45 to 65.
'There's a real kind of mummy wine culture that's promoted as you know, alcohol is a great release for all of the hard work that we do.'
Another issue she raised is that alcohol shops see women as an 'untapped market' and advertise drinks with slimmer bottles and colours viewed as more feminine.
It is a concern echoed by global alcohol prevention group Movendi International, which has warned that companies have invested in marketing campaigns targeting women.
'There are alcohol products strategically targeting women by incorporating specific design elements that appeal to their tastes and lifestyles,' its website said.
'These products often feature special packaging that is smaller, pink, and designed to serve as fashionable accessories.'
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