Each week, we post short interviews with interesting people about their thoughts and feelings on women and drinking. There is such a wide array of perspectives about this topic, and we are excited to gain insight into as many as possible and to share them with you.
Pat Olsen is a business and health writer with a special interest in addiction and recovery. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Continental, USA Weekend, Remedy and others. She ghostwrites and ghostblogs as well.
In 2008, Olsen published Sober Siblings: How to Help Your Alcoholic Brother or Sister—and Not Lose Yourself (Da Capo Lifelong) Her co-author is addiction specialist Petros Levounis, M.D. She also blogs for Malibu Beach Recovery Center.
Drinking Diaries: How old were you when you had your first drink and what was it?
Pat Olsen: I was probably 16 and it was something horrid like a rum and coke.
How did/does your family treat drinking?
My parents and both of my siblings abused alcohol, so that’s a highly charged question for me.
How do you approach alcohol in your every day life?
I’m a social drinker. I love wine coolers in the summer; otherwise and I like maybe half a glass of wine with dinner. I know my limit, though—one. Any more than that and I feel heavy. It doesn’t agree with me.
If you have kids, how is the subject of drinking handled? Do you drink in front of them? With them?
I started educating my son early because he has the gene for addiction. He doesn’t seem to have a problem with drinking but he’s 21 and I’m not with him every minute. Yes, I drink in front of him, and with him, when we go out to dinner.
What’s your drink of choice? Why?
I like Cosmopolitans and I had a great drink at a friend’s recently–Coconut rum (I think), pineapple-orange juice, cranberry juice and a splash of seltzer.
Can you tell us about the best time you ever had drinking?
I can’t remember associating drinking with an occasion.
What about the worst time?
I had a Margarita in Mexico and there must have been something in the water (the ice cubes, actually). I got way too friendly with a toilet bowl that night.
Has drinking ever affected—either negatively or positively—a relationship of yours?
See question #2. If someone in your family has never had a drinking problem, you can’t imagine how sad it is. Both of my brothers probably died due to alcoholism.
Do you have a favorite book, song, or movie about drinking?
I was pretty interested to listen to Amy Winehouse’s song about not going to rehab. I found David Carr’s memoir interesting and McGovern’s book about his daughter. I don’t think in terms of favorites when it comes to drinking. It’s too emotionally charged for me.
What do you like most about drinking?
The taste.
Why do, or don’t you, choose to drink?
I find it enjoyable.
How has alcoholism affected your life?
I don’t have the space here to even begin. I would have given anything if my family members had recovered.
