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Anne Hathaway's self-imposed alcohol ban will have you rethinking your social drinking habits

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Anne Hathaway shot by Francesco Carrozzini for Town & Country Magazine's February 2019 cover (annehathaway)
Anne Hathaway shot by Francesco Carrozzini for Town & Country Magazine's February 2019 cover (annehathaway)

Anne Hathaway has quit drinking. No, not permanently, only until her 2-year-old son, Jonathan Rosebanks Shulman, has left the nest. 

Commenting on her self-imposed 18-year-long alcohol ban while on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in January, Anne revealed that, while she's not a big drinker, a build-up of unpleasant experiences had led her to make the decision.

One being a school run. 

"I did one school run one day where I dropped him off at school, I wasn't driving, but I was hungover, and that was enough for me. I didn't love that one."

Her decision was also work-related, and she confessed that the need to quit had become even more apparent after attending a meeting with director Steven Knight while she was hungover. 

"I was just kinda stumbling in with one eye open, and I was trying to convince him about certain things about my character. And at the end of it, I said, 'Listen, I have a confession. I was hungover the entire time.' And he just goes, 'Oh, really? I couldn't tell.' Then two days later we had another meeting and I showed up and he said, 'Oh, now I can.'"

Anne joins an ever-growing list of teetotaling celeb parents who have chosen to forgo the pleasures (and pains) of drinking, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez and Brad Pitt. 

Anne Hathaway shot by Francesco Carrozzini for the cover of Town & Country Magazine (February 2019)

Also see: WATCH: Chrissy Teigen admits that after Luna was born she was "drinking too much"

How have your drinking habits changed since becoming a parent? Share your stories and comments and we could publish your letter. Do let us know if you'd like to stay anonymous.


Surprising statistics 

We may be more likely to link drunk and hungover parenting with alcohol addiction than with social drinking, so it comes as a surprise when social drinkers like Anne decide to abstain. 

Yet, according to an American poll of more than 1 000 parents, the dangers of mixing parenting with drinking may be more concerning among moms and dads who drink socially. 

The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, conducted in October 2018, found that "1 in 4 parents who drink alcohol on special occasions are not likely to plan how much they drink or whether they’ll be able to take care of their child the next day." 

Further, the study also revealed that of parents polled, 73% were great at planning child care for the occasion, and 68% typically make arrangements when going out. 

However, the survey showed that only 47% make appropriate plans for the day after, highlighting that most underestimate the effect of a hangover the next day. 

A small percentage (8%) fessed up to being "too impaired from alcohol to fulfil their parenting responsibilities," however of those who confessed to overindulging, 54% said the experience had lead to them making the decision to limit their drinking at future events. 


Also see: OPINION: Moms and wine, and how we've normalised the two going hand in hand


The takeaway 

Poll co-director Sarah Clark, MPH, provides the following bits of advice to parents planning a night out: 

  • Avoid overindulging by alternating alcoholic beverages with water, sodas or juice. 
  • Arrange safe transportation home with a designated driver.  
  • If you know you'll be indulging, make child care arrangements for both the night of and the day after. 

Chat back:

How have your drinking habits changed since becoming a parent? Share your stories and comments and we could publish your letter. Do let us know if you'd like to stay anonymous.

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