I have been consuming about 2 glasses of wine a night for almost a year. I stopped for 3 weeks in March and then resumed. My therapist feels like this habit is escapism and may be adding to my depression and insomnia. He feels like I use it to slow down my thoughts of worry over the past, present and future. When I stopped I still couldn't sleep through the night. His suggestion, which I am trying, is to have a half a glass and to not multitask when drinking.
Your therapist knows you much better than I do, so I couldn't disagree with him readily. I can say that in general, alcohol adds to people's depression and interferes with sleep. There are better ways to get relief from worry too. But people don't always fit the generalities, so you have to see what is true for you. Experiment and notice effects carefully.
Cynthia W. Lubow, MFT
Depression and PTSD Specialist
For 25 years, compassionately helping women heal from depression, and it's
destructive criticism, losses and traumas, while building self-acceptance and confidence.
