Finding the freedom to enjoy an occasional glass of wine

A few years ago, Colleen T. retired to a beautiful home in the Okanagan with a lakeview and a local winery just steps down the road. Suddenly she had plenty of free time to take in the view and enjoy wine with friends.

As time passed, however, Colleen realized that the new lifestyle might not be as perfect as it seemed. “I’d have a glass of wine for lunch, and then another one and another one. I just wasn’t able to put a stop to it during the day.” Colleen says she was drinking up to two bottles a day, she was forgetting previous nights, and felt terrible in the mornings. 

Throughout her life, Colleen drank socially and had no previous issues with alcohol use. So, it was especially painful when people close to her avoided talking to her in the evenings and told her that she had a problem.

“That stung me to the core,” she says. She also realized that there was some truth in the words, and so was motivated to change. But at the time, Colleen felt she only had two options: try to cut back, which wasn’t working, or to stop drinking completely. “I could go that route and never have a glass of wine again, and I really didn’t want to do that.” 

Colleen felt she had no way forward until she read about medical treatment for AUD in a local newspaper article featuring CAUDS founder Dr. Jeff Harries. “I thought ‘Oh my God. Here is something that can help me.’” Colleen’s partner, who she says was always patient and gentle in his approach to talking about alcohol consumption with her, was so happy to hear about this new treatment possibility.

Fortunately for Colleen, her own family doctor was familiar with medical treatment for AUD. Together they discussed a care plan, and Colleen started on a prescription medication. In three or four days, she noticed a reduction in cravings. Colleen was determined, but with the medication she didn’t need distractions or will-power to help her reduce her consumption. She took the medication daily, but by about six weeks was able to reduce the dosage. Since last May, she hasn’t had to take the medication at all. 

Once again able to fully enjoy her retirement, Colleen has an occasional drink without fear of relapse. “We went to a winery recently and I allowed myself to have a glass of wine. When I got home I didn’t want another. It was a free choice. It was wonderful. It really was like a liberation.”

Colleen credits part of her success to being open with friends and family, who offered support and helped her feel accountable. She encourages others to talk to their doctor to see if AUD medications might be a good fit as part of their treatment plan. “I was totally surprised and I’m over the moon,” she says of her treatment experience. “It felt like I was given a lifeline.”