Drinking Moms: Resource Guide, More Info
Take the "Alcoholics Anonymous" quiz to see whether you should get help.
April 30, 2010— -- From dumping their stash of empty liquor bottles to hiding morning glasses of wine in coffee mugs, four mothers revealed to "20/20" the intimate and destructive details of their addiction to alcohol.
They're not alone. One-third of alcoholics in this country are women, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Regrets and expectations often push women deeper into their addictions, experts say, and the double-standard and stigma associated with alcoholism often keep a woman's disease under wraps.
If you're concerned that you or someone you know may be heading for trouble with alcohol, check out the resources below.
Is Alcoholics Anonymous for You? 12 Questions Only You Can Answer: Alcoholics Anonymous asks drinkers to honestly answer 12 questions about their drinking habits. If you answer "yes" to four or more questions, alcoholics recommend seeking help. CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE QUIZ
Rethinking Drinking is an outpost of the NIAAA where drinkers can assess their drinking habits and learn to spot warning signs.
What's Your Drinking Pattern? Find out how your drinking habits compare to those of other adults in the United States at the institute's website.
Everyone is different but the NIAAA says up to one drink per day is a safe level of alcohol intake for most women.
How strong is your mixed drink or cocktail? NIAAA's Cocktail Content Calculator can help you keep track of how much alcohol is in your drink.
Resources, Getting Help
More than 1 million people submit to detox and rehab programs for alcohol addiction every year in this country.
National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service provides a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), where you can find information on treatment options and facilities.
For local information on treatment available in your city and state, check out the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator through SAMSA.gov.
Orchid Recovery Center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center designed specifically to treat women, located in South Florida, was featured in the "20/20" report. Visit its website for more information on rehab and treatment options.