There are many myths surrounding the use of alcohol. Because it’s legal and so widely used, many people are under the mistaken assumption that it’s perfectly safe. Many people also refuse to believe that they might have a drinking problem, either because they’ve been drinking for a long time or because they don’t get drunk easily. Here are some of the biggest myths about alcohol:
I Don’t Have a Problem Because I Can Hold My Liquor
It might seem like a point of pride that you can have many drinks without being overwhelmed by the effects. In truth, if it takes you considerably more alcohol than most people to feel drunk, this is a good sign that you might have an alcohol use disorder.
I Don’t Have a Problem Because I Only Drink Occasionally or on Weekends
Heavy drinking isn’t necessarily defined by how many days a week you have a drink. For men under the age of 65, heavy drinking is defined as having four drinks a day or more than 14 drinks in one week. For women and men above the age of 65, it’s considered heavy drinking if you have more than three drinks a day or more than seven drinks in a week.
I Don’t Have a Problem Because I Don’t Drink Hard Liquor
You can have a drinking problem even if you never have anything but light beer or dessert wine. It’s about the negative effects alcohol has on your life, such as when you spend more time drinking than you intend to, you haven’t been able to cut down or stop, you can’t think about anything but drinking, you have to drink more and more to feel any effects, you start slacking off on responsibilities at home, work, or school, you stop doing activities that you used to enjoy, or your drinking interferes with your relationships.
Drinking Helps With Chronic Pain
Alcohol and pain relievers should not be mixed. Most prescription pain medications warn not to take them with alcohol, because they can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired motor control, all of which are also side effects of drinking.
If I Drink Too Much, Coffee Will Sober Me Up
Nothing can make you sober up except time. Your body has to process and break down the alcohol in your system, and coffee doesn’t speed this up. The caffeine might help you stay awake, but it’s not going to improve your coordination or decision-making skills. If anything, it can be dangerous to consume caffeine while you’re drunk, because it might trick you into thinking you’re more sober than you really are, which might lead to you attempting to drive or do other dangerous activities while your blood alcohol content is still high.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
