Miranda's Drinking Habits: Alcoholic Or Not?

In the latest iteration of the Sex and the City franchise, And Just Like That, Miranda Hobbes, played by Cynthia Nixon, has been depicted as a high-functioning alcoholic. In the show, Miranda is a lawyer, mother, and student in her 50s, dealing with a sexless marriage and a crush on a non-binary person, Che Diaz. She is seen drinking excessively, often during inappropriate moments, such as before a morning class and at a child's piano recital. Her friends, Charlotte and Carrie, find empty bottles of alcohol in her backpack, and she appears to have a constant need for alcohol. While her alcoholism has not been explicitly confirmed, Miranda's storyline highlights the increasing problem of alcohol abuse among older, highly educated, and successful women.

Miranda's alcohol addiction in the show

In the latest iteration of the Sex and the City franchise, And Just Like That, Miranda Hobbes' storyline picks up almost right where it left off in Sex And The City. She's quit her job as a corporate lawyer to become an activist, and she's enrolled at Columbia University to get a master's degree in human rights. However, one of Miranda's new habits left some fans concerned. In the show's first few episodes, it seems like Miranda has a troubling relationship with alcohol.

In the first episode, Miranda exits the subway at Columbia University and stops by a bar before her human rights law class. She asks for a glass of Chablis wine, only to be told that the bar doesn't open until 11 am. "It's 11 o'clock somewhere," Miranda says, and she checks the time on her phone—10:45 am. She decides to wait. Later in the episode, Miranda attends Charlotte York's daughter Lily's piano recital, where she tells her friends that she brought "handbag wine," which she pours into paper cups for them to drink during the recital.

In another episode, Miranda is seen demanding a stiff drink before the funeral of Carrie's late husband. She convinces the bartender that she's a family member so she can have a bourbon before the service. At the funeral, Carrie ends up wetting the bed while Miranda has a drunken orgasm in the kitchen. Later, Carrie confronts Miranda for abandoning her and putting her in an awkward position. Miranda breaks down, saying that she hates her life and that Che (a non-binary person she has a crush on) is the best thing that has happened to her in a long time. At the end of the episode, she pours all her liquor down the sink, recognizing her problem.

In the third episode, Charlotte finds three small empty bottles of liquor in Miranda's backpack. She tells Carrie about the empty bottles and that Miranda drank two glasses of wine before a comedy show they attended. Carrie brushes off Charlotte's concerns, saying, "If we're going to have this conversation, then I'm going to need a drink." However, Miranda's behaviour fits the definition of a "high-functioning alcoholic," according to the American Addiction Centers. Many high-functioning alcoholics hide alcohol, as Miranda does when she sneaks wine into the piano recital.

Miranda's alcohol addiction is set against the backdrop of her midlife transition. Her marriage has been sexless for years, and she wonders if she and her husband are merely roommates. She also develops a crush on a non-binary person, Che Diaz, and struggles with her sexuality. The show provides a realistic context for why Miranda might be drinking, as it's not uncommon for people to self-medicate with alcohol when they're unhappy.

The show's treatment of drinking

However, with the release of the reboot, "And Just Like That," the show has shifted its narrative on alcohol. The new series focuses on Miranda's potential struggle with alcoholism, as she navigates midlife transitions, including a career change, a sexless marriage, and exploring her sexuality. Miranda's drinking habits, such as her craving for alcohol before noon and hiding bottles in her backpack, align with the characteristics of a high-functioning alcoholic, according to experts.

The show provides a realistic context for Miranda's drinking, highlighting how self-medicating with alcohol can be a coping mechanism for unhappiness or uncertainty in life. This narrative arc has sparked conversations about the normalization of excessive drinking among women, particularly those in midlife or with higher education and income levels. It also underscores the importance of recognizing the signs of a drinking problem, such as compulsive use, loss of control, and experiencing negative consequences.

While some viewers appreciate the show's attempt to address addiction, others criticize its execution. Some argue that the show offers a simplistic view of alcoholism by having Miranda quickly recognize and address her problem without experiencing the shame and rock-bottom moments that often accompany addiction. Nonetheless, the show's exploration of Miranda's drinking has initiated a dialogue about alcohol use and addiction, encouraging viewers to reflect on their relationship with alcohol and the potential impact on their lives.

Miranda's high-functioning alcoholism

In the latest iteration of the Sex and the City franchise, And Just Like That, Miranda Hobbes has been fashioned into the stereotype of a high-functioning alcoholic. She is portrayed as managing the stress of raising a teenager, a failing marriage, and a master's program at Columbia University. She is shown drinking whiskey and Chablis before noon while regularly carrying alcohol on her person. In the third episode, Charlotte finds three small empty bottles of liquor in Miranda's backpack.

Miranda's storyline in And Just Like That picks up almost right where it left off in Sex and the City. She has quit her job as a corporate lawyer to become an activist and is pursuing a master's degree in human rights. However, she seems to have a troubling relationship with alcohol. Her craving for glasses of Chablis appears normal until she waits for a bar to open at 11:00 a.m. to have a drink before class. She also brings wine in her purse to drink during a child's piano recital.

Miranda's behaviour fits the definition of a "high-functioning alcoholic," according to the American Addiction Centers. High-functioning alcoholics often show signs of an alcohol use disorder but experience fewer external consequences as a result of their drinking. They may also have a functional tolerance for alcohol, drinking large amounts without seeming intoxicated to others. In the show, Miranda exhibits some of these symptoms, such as hiding alcohol and drinking compulsively.

The character of Miranda provides a realistic context for why someone might turn to self-medicating with alcohol. She is going through a midlife transition, questioning her sexuality, and dealing with a sexless marriage. While the show offers a sunny view of alcoholism by portraying Miranda's quick and easy path to recovery, it also provides an opportunity to address addiction and the glamorization of drinking.

The character's drinking habits

In the popular TV series Sex and the City, the characters' drinking habits are a prominent feature, often serving as a backdrop to their conversations and a catalyst for their adventures. While the show is known for its glamorous portrayal of New York City life, it has also been criticized for its normalization of excessive alcohol consumption. One of the main characters, Miranda Hobbes, has been the subject of debate among fans and critics regarding her relationship with alcohol. So, was Miranda an alcoholic?

Miranda, portrayed by Cynthia Nixon, is a successful lawyer known for her sharp wit and pragmatic approach to life. As the show progresses, viewers notice that Miranda often reaches for a drink, whether it's during a stressful day at work or a casual get-together with her friends. Her drinking habits are consistent throughout the series, and she is rarely seen refusing a drink or opting for a non-alcoholic beverage. While Miranda's drinking may not have seemed excessive compared to the heavy partying portrayed in some episodes, her consistent and reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism is noteworthy.

One of the defining characteristics of alcoholism is the inability to control one's drinking. Miranda often finds herself drinking alone or continuing to drink even when she knows it will affect her work or personal life. For example, in one episode, she shows up late and hungover for an important meeting, indicating that her drinking interfered with her professional responsibilities. Additionally, Miranda's relationships are sometimes strained due to her drinking. She frequently chooses to go to bars with her friends instead of spending time with her partner, and her drinking leads to arguments and misunderstandings.

While Miranda's drinking habits may not have met the clinical definition of alcoholism, they certainly raise questions about problematic drinking. Her reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism and the negative consequences it sometimes had on her life suggest that her relationship with alcohol was not entirely healthy. It's important to note that alcoholism manifests differently in different people, and there is no one-size-fits-all definition. However, Miranda's story can serve as a reminder to examine our own relationships with alcohol and to be mindful of when our drinking habits become unhealthy.

In contrast to Miranda's drinking habits, her friends, Carrie, Charlotte, and Samantha, exhibited different approaches to alcohol. Carrie, the show's narrator, was often seen drinking cosmos and other cocktails, but her consumption was usually more moderate and social. Charlotte, known for her conservative and traditional personality, typically preferred wine and was the least likely to engage in excessive drinking. Samantha, the most unapologetic and adventurous of the group, embraced a wide range of drinks, from martinis to shots, and her drinking habits reflected her carefree and indulgent attitude towards life.

Overall, the characters' drinking habits in Sex and the City provide an interesting lens through which to view the show and its portrayal of urban female friendships. While Miranda's relationship with alcohol may not definitively qualify her as an alcoholic, it does prompt important conversations about drinking culture and the varying degrees of problematic drinking.

Alcoholism in older women

In the latest iteration of the Sex and the City franchise, And Just Like That, Miranda Hobbes' storyline includes a struggle with alcohol addiction. In the show, Miranda is managing the stress of raising a teenager and pursuing a master's degree. She is often shown drinking before noon and carrying alcohol on her person. Her friends, Charlotte and Carrie, express concern about her drinking habits, but their worries are brushed off. In one instance, Miranda breaks down and pours all her liquor down the sink, recognizing her problem.

Miranda's character arc in the reboot shines a light on the rising trend of alcohol use among older women. Older adults, particularly women, are increasingly turning to alcohol, with a 107% increase in alcohol use disorder among those 65 and older between 2001 and 2013 in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this trend, with older adults experiencing depression and anxiety during this time being more likely to increase their alcohol consumption.

Alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder is defined as a pattern of drinking that can harm one's health and social relationships. Older adults who drink are at a higher risk of negative physical and mental health consequences due to age-related changes in the body. They may experience heart and liver problems, memory issues, mood disorders, an increased risk of cancer, and a weakened immune system. Older women are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than older men due to physiological differences. Additionally, alcohol can interact with medications commonly taken by older adults, leading to dangerous or even deadly consequences.

The stereotypical image of a "down and out" alcoholic hinders the recognition of alcohol problems among older adults, especially older women. This stereotype may not fit the reality of older women struggling with alcohol, making it challenging for healthcare professionals and loved ones to identify the issue. As a result, alcohol abuse and alcoholism are under-recognized issues among this demographic.

To address the problem of alcoholism in older women, it is crucial to move beyond stereotypes and be vigilant for signs of alcohol misuse. Family physicians and loved ones should remain non-judgmental and supportive while encouraging older women to seek help for alcohol-related issues. Treatment programs with an elder-specific focus may be beneficial in addressing the unique challenges faced by this population.

Frequently asked questions