winos

Winos is a colloquial term historically used to describe a person who consumes large amounts of inexpensive wine, often in public, and who is frequently associated with homelessness or precarious housing. The term carries strong pejorative connotations and is considered stigmatizing. In formal or policy contexts, more neutral language is preferred, such as “people experiencing homelessness with problematic alcohol use” or “persons with heavy alcohol use in the context of homelessness.”

Etymology and usage: The word combines “wine” with the diminutive suffix common to terms for drinkers. Its use is most often found in North American journalism and social commentary from the 20th century onward, sometimes reflecting attitudes toward street drinking and poverty. Because of its negative connotations, many organizations and researchers avoid the term in favor of nonjudgmental descriptors.

Context and characteristics: Winos are typically portrayed as street drinkers who may live outdoors or in shelters, and who experience alcohol dependence alongside other challenges such as unemployment, mental health issues, or poor access to healthcare. Public health perspectives emphasize the health risks of chronic alcohol use, including liver disease, malnutrition, injury, and infectious disease, as well as social risks like violence and legal problems. They are often part of broader patterns of homelessness and substance use.

Response and terminology: Public policy and outreach programs focus on harm reduction, addiction treatment, and housing-first strategies to reduce harm and improve health and safety. Language around the topic increasingly prioritizes person-centered, non-stigmatizing terms to better support access to services and resources.