100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Sami Muirhead is sober curious why 'Quit Lit' is the latest book trend

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Huge new ‘gompa’ proposed for hinterland retreat

One of Australia’s most prominent Buddhist centres has lodged plans for a new central meditation hall – or ‘gompa’ – at its sprawling Sunshine More

‘Risky’ parking spaces prompts call for accessibility audit

Residents are backing a call for a review of accessible parking options, claiming poorly designed spaces create an “unacceptable risk” for all road users. The More

Ashley Robinson: level of pain on another plane

I have a couple of allergies. I am dead-set allergic to pain, which sort of makes sense that I am scared of dentists. It all More

‘Tough spot’: why cup of coffee could soar to $10

A blend of cost-of-living pressures and an increase in demand for one of the world’s biggest commodities could bump up the price of a More

High-tech trolleys to be rolled out at major supermarket

Shoppers at a major supermarket will have a “revolutionary” way to purchase groceries, with the introduction of new high-tech trolleys. Woolworths is set to introduce More

Locals fume as van dwellers overrun town’s beach car parks

Illegal camping is testing the patience of a beachside town’s residents, who claim van dwellers are overrunning car parks, ignoring signage, dumping rubbish and More

Have you seen the plethora of books on the topic of quitting drinking alcohol? Quit Lit is the new black.

I am currently reading Quit Like A Woman: The Radical Choice To Not Drink In A Society Obsessed With Alcohol by Holly Whitaker.

The book is genius. It is part science (a brutal reminder that alcohol is ethanol, and we are drinking that stuff, which is like the same stuff we fuel our cars with); part a funny memoir of the author’s own battle with drinking and part mind-blowing insights into our society, where drinking is considered the cornerstone of cool.

It has made me a little sober curious. I love a wine. I love a champers. I love a gin and tonic. I love a cold beer. But I must admit, I use alcohol to celebrate the victories and to lubricate the tougher days.

I almost wish I could un-read parts of the book, because you start to realise it is mums who are probably the most targeted market when it comes to pushing the message that alcohol is the best way to celebrate and commiserate life.

I have tea towels that scream: “Yes way, rosé!” I have a magnet that says: “It’s not drinking alone if the dog is home” and I have a wine glass that screams: “Coffee, on the bench: Alcohol, suit up!”

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article. 

Women are up against the marketing machines of the world and the billion-dollar companies that want us to buy their booze. Remember when smoking was touted as a really cool thing to do? It hurts me to admit it, but this alcohol-obsessed culture is hurting women.

Am I an alcoholic? No. Do I use alcohol as a crutch? Absolutely. It is quite simply hard not to drink.

There are a dozen or so other brilliant books about the relationship with women and alcohol including Glorious Rock Bottom, and Girl Walks Out Of A Bar.

The conversation has commenced, and I want to hear more. I don’t want to quit drinking, but I am at least thinking about what exactly I am consuming and feel like my blinkers have come off.

We drink at baby showers and birthdays, we knock back a few at Friday knock-offs at work, we sip at graduations, funerals, weddings, because it is mid-week, at book club and at brunch. Wow! The list is long.

So, I am trying to swap a few wines for cups of tea this week and I clearly need some new tea towels and magnets.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share