During part 2 of the season 4 reunion for The Real Housewives of New York City, Ramona Singer accuses fellow castmate Jill Zarin of being an alcoholic who used to go to AA (alcoholics anonymous). This accusation takes place during a segment where many of the castmembers, Jill and LuAnn in particular, accuse Ramona herself of being an alcoholic. Ramona nearly replies that she was promoting her new product Ramona Singer Pinot Grigio so she discussed her wine a lot and that the show often shows her drinking because they mainly film at social functions.

In the United States, it is estimated that every year the alcohol industry spends about $2 billion on advertising alcoholic beverages and encouraging their consumption. This massive advertising campaign seems to work - Americans spend over $90 billion buying alcohol each year. But, this amount pales in comparison to what alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse cost the United States every year. It is estimated that in 2005, alcohol had a negative impact on the U.S. economy to the tune of $220 billion.