Dolly Parton Rarely Drank — Here's The Few Exceptions She Made

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Dolly Parton wasn't a frequent drinker, and mostly only drank to mark special occasions or as part of fancy meals. During a 2019 chat with NME, the "Jolene" hitmaker said, "I never did do drugs or alcohol. I do drink if I'm out on a special dinner and when I fly 'cos I don't like to fly, so I usually have a couple of glasses of wine, but for the most part I'm just not much of a doper or a drinker." 

The Grammy winner apparently had another rule when it came to drinking alcohol. Speaking to Wine Spectator in 2024, Parton shared that she never drank by her lonesome. She also pointed out that she wasn't alone in her belief that wine could be a part of special occasions, since many others prefer it over stronger options. 

In the past, the "9 to 5" hitmaker offered insight into why she chose to be mindful about her alcohol consumption. In Parton's 2020 book "Dolly Parton, Songteller," she wrote that many people are unaware of how addictive alcohol can be and pick up a beer or a cocktail without a second thought. However, she knew the dangers of having a drink firsthand because she had witnessed numerous people on both sides of her family deal with alcoholism.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Similar to Dolly Parton, many people prefer having a drink on an airplane to calm their nerves while flying. However, there are numerous reasons why you should think twice before drinking alcohol on a plane. Chatting with Self Magazine, Sanjay Kurani, MD, medical director of inpatient medicine at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, explained that alcohol is a diuretic, a substance that signals your body that it needs to release more water. Beyond the obvious awkwardness of constantly squeezing past people in tight spaces to use the plane's restroom, the repeated release of fluids could make you feel dehydrated and subsequently experience fatigue and headaches. 

While experiencing the warning signs of dehydration on a long flight can undoubtedly be uncomfortable, it's not the only risk associated with drinking alcohol on a plane. A 2024 study in Thorax sought to determine the effects of falling asleep on an environment similar to an airplane cabin after consuming alcohol. It found that alcohol can decrease blood oxygen levels, increase one's heart rate, and affect overall sleep quality. The results showed that sleeping after drinking alcohol in an airplane-like environment greatly strained the cardiovascular health of the participants, who were aged between 18 and 40. The researchers also cautioned that the effects of drinking on a plane might be stronger in older folks. With all of that in mind, it's great that there are plenty of effective strategies to ease anxiety while flying.