# Are wine drinkers less likely to be called alcoholics? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 29, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040 "2014-01-29T15:33:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jrsone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jrsone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrsone)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/1 "2014-01-29T15:33:37Z")
Just an observence, and I could be way off base here. I am friends with people on Facebook and also I notice on various websites written in a humour fashion or otherwise, wine is popular. “There is no such thing as too much wine!” Some people brag about going through a bottle (or box) a night and this is just kind of seen as “Wine, let’s pour it in our cereal!” Most people don’t seem to bat an eye. Now if someone posted pictures of themselves taking shots Jack Daniels each night and posting it or downing a 12 pack and posting “Natural Light, nectar of the God’s”, chances are someone might intervene or say there is a problem, but there is just a playfulness associated with wine. Like I said, I could be wrong. I’m not much of a drinker. I don’t care for wine much at all and I have grown up with alcoholism in my family. So i’m probably looking at this with a biased perspective. So could I have some other perspectives? ---
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/2 "2014-01-29T15:41:44Z")
I have that perception, too. Wine is a more acceptable way to be an alcoholic. Look at Penny on the BBT. If she was drinking that much scotch, there’d be a Very Special Episode. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/3 "2014-01-29T15:57:53Z")
If she was drinking that much Scotch, she’d be dead! But yeah, wine seems to get more of a pass than even beer does. Probably a class thing. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/4 "2014-01-29T16:00:00Z")
“Wino.” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/5 "2014-01-29T16:06:34Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > “Wino.” Only if you drink [bumwines.](http://www.bumwine.com/) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/6 "2014-01-29T16:30:45Z")
Winos don’t drink a lightly-oaked chardonnay on a regular basis. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/7 "2014-01-29T16:39:49Z")
I had an alcoholic neighbor whose drink of choice was wine, so wine (and beer) is actually the first thing I think of. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/8 "2014-01-29T16:45:11Z")
I remember being very surprised when I learned that wine is stronger than beer, because the social expectation seems to be that alcoholics get drunk on beer, not wine. Maybe it’s just a matter of price: If you can afford good wine, then you’re at least a functional alcoholic. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/9 "2014-01-29T16:46:59Z")
One term for a down-and-out alcoholic is a wino so there is that. A bottle of wine only contains about 4 1/2 glasses. Going through even a bottle a night isn’t all that much relatively speaking. It may not be the best thing in the world for you but that is some pretty low-grade alcoholism if it is at all. I have known some alcoholics whose drink of choice is wine and they drank multiple bottles per day. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/10 "2014-01-29T16:47:36Z")
I think it’s the other way around - alcoholics are less likely to drink wine compared to other alcohol. If you’re going for the cheapest way to get drunk, bad liquor will win out. But as noted, there are still plenty of alcoholics who prefer wine. I think people do tend to joke about wine more, but it’s just a joke for most of the people I see doing this. And if I saw someone bragging about multiple bottles or a box every night, I wouldn’t think it was harmless fun. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/11 "2014-01-29T17:22:35Z")
I don’t think most alcoholics are looking for the cheapest way to get drunk. Gutter drunks obviosuly are and they buy cheap wine, cheap beer etc, whatever give them the most bang for their buck. Typically an alcoholic will be funtioning and still working and consider $10.00 or so a night not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/12 "2014-01-29T18:19:19Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > A bottle of wine only contains about 4 1/2 glasses. Going through even a bottle a night isn’t all that much relatively speaking. Well, let’s see. 750ml is 25.4 ounces, and at 18% that’s 4-1/2 ounces of ethanol. A six-pack is 72 ounces, and at a generous 5% that’s 3.6 ounces of alky. A double (in the US) is 3 ounces, so at 90 proof that’s 1.35 ounces of juice. I’d say a bottle of wine is not insignificant for most drinkers. ETA: I wouldn’t argue that there is less stigma, and perhaps even less notice, of wine drinkers vs. other types. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/13 "2014-01-29T18:21:34Z")
When was the last time you heard the term “wino” applied to anybody? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/14 "2014-01-29T18:31:22Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Well, let’s see. 750ml is 25.4 ounces, and at 18% that’s 4-1/2 ounces of ethanol. > > A six-pack is 72 ounces, and at a generous 5% that’s 3.6 ounces of alky. > > A double (in the US) is 3 ounces, so at 90 proof that’s 1.35 ounces of juice. > > I’d say a bottle of wine is not insignificant for most drinkers. > > ETA: I wouldn’t argue that there is less stigma, and perhaps even less notice, of wine drinkers vs. other types. 18% alcohol content is really high for most wine although sherry has that much. More typical is 12 - 14%. ---
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/15 "2014-01-29T18:40:39Z")
What if was a bottle of Mad Dog? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/16 "2014-01-29T18:43:32Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > 18% alcohol content is really high for most wine although sherry has that much. More typical is 12 - 14%. You’re right, I’m thinking of a few heavy reds and such. The three Chards on the rack are all 13.5% So make that about 3-1/2 ounces in a bottle. Still beyond negligible, especially on a consistent basis. > [@randompattern](#): > > What if was a bottle of Mad Dog? Most fortified wines are around 20%, but are sold in a variety of bottle sizes. Harder to pin down total alcohol along these lines. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/17 "2014-01-29T18:48:44Z")
I think I disagree with the premise. An alcoholic is an alcoholic whether they get drunk off beer, wine, or liquor. When I lived in the city it was just as common to see a drunk bum with a 40, a bottle of cheap wine, or rotgut liquor. The OP’s friends on facebook may or may not be alcoholics, but since it’s playful I think you could see the same activity with beer or liquor. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/18 "2014-01-29T18:51:17Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > “Wino.” I’m not a wino, I’m a [‘why-yes’](http://www.theonion.com/articles/im-not-a-wino-im-a-whyyes,10811/)! ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/19 "2014-01-29T18:52:24Z")
I think wine has more of a perception of being consumed by people who are not serious or hard drinkers – as a gourmet collector’s item; with fine food; as a light social drink. But there are certainly plenty of alcoholics whose preferred drink is wine – Caroline Knapp, author of _Drinking: A Love Story_, and recently rehabbed newscaster Elizabeth Vargas come to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040/20 "2014-01-29T18:52:46Z")
I know many people who drink wine that I am pretty sure are not alcoholics. They have one glass with dinner, and may not even finish that one. I know several recovering alcoholics who drank only wine, in large part because it allowed them to tell themselves they were not an alcoholic because they only drank wine. Not only is wine a fairly expensive way to buy ethanol, it contains lots of compounds that tend to make for severe hangovers. Eventually the wine abuser may work out that they are an alcoholic and either move on to something like vodka or seek help. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-wine-drinkers-less-likely-to-be-called-alcoholics/680040.md?page=2)