Quit Like a Woman

Book by Holly Whitaker (2019)

A bold, feminist take on sobriety in a culture obsessed with alcohol. Whitaker shares her own story of high-functioning alcoholism and critiques how alcohol is marketed, especially to women (think “wine o’clock” memes), arguing that many women use wine or cocktails to cope with the impossible standards society places on them. She then offers an alternative path to quitting drinking that doesn’t rely on traditional willpower or shame, including building supportive communities and using tools like mindfulness and nutrition to heal. The tone is like a no-nonsense yet empathetic coach-friend. It fits our gentle, restorative theme by removing judgment and perfectionism from recovery – you won’t find any talk of “moral failing” here. Instead, it’s about radical self-care and rebellion against an unhealthy status quo. For a midlifer who might be relying on that nightly glass of wine to unwind, this book extends a hand: there’s a kinder, empowered way to find relief. It also acknowledges intersections of stress (gender roles, trauma, etc.) in substance use. In sum, it bridges evidence (she cites psychology and addiction research) with “soulful” elements like self-compassion and even activism (seeing your sobriety as a positive, culture-challenging choice). You can check Holly’s website here and her book here.