Common Misconceptions About Alcohol: Myths About Drinking

Common Myths About Alcoholism

Alcohol can exacerbate hot flash symptoms, which occur because of disruption to the body’s thermoregulatory zone. Alcohol also interferes with this zone, making the hormone-driven changes worse. Receive free access to exclusive content, a personalized homepage based on your interests, and a weekly newsletter with topics of your choice. Normally, your body cycles through light and deep phases of sleep.

Common Myths About Alcoholism

Myth: Once a bottle is open you have to finish it.

  • Repeated alcohol use seriously disturbs sleep and makes it difficult to re-establish a normal sleep pattern.
  • If you need to avoid feeling sluggish the next day, you might want to switch out some of those darker drinks for lighter versions.
  • Heavy drinking over a long time can also cause a certain type of nerve pain.

Although we know more about the effects of alcohol than we did in the past, there are still some popular myths about alcoholism and drinking problems. Learning the truth as opposed to the myths can help you make healthy decisions. We often toast to special occasions, and that glass of red wine may even have health benefits. If you’re aware of the risks, you’re generally fine to drink alcohol in moderation. There are purported benefits, as well as pitfalls, to consuming alcohol.

Common Myths About Alcoholism

Myth 1: Drinking perks you up at parties

  • Addiction doesn’t discriminate between class, age, gender, sexuality, or creed.
  • While attending a 12-step program like AA may work for some people, for others, a more individualized treatment method may work better.
  • A hangover can be a mild form of alcohol withdrawal, according to the NIAAA.
  • Family members may need to stage an intervention to convince a person to get help.

Luckily, we’ve asked one of our very own alcohol research experts, Andrew Misell, to bust some of the more common misconceptions around alcohol and give us the full picture. Alcohol is a drug and can be as damaging as any other drug addiction. It will have severe effects on the body, which can eventually be fatal if nothing is done to treat the problem. In my experience, the honest approach works better than people imagine. Once you get over your fear of the occasional judgment, saying you’re in recovery can be one of the best conversation starters.

When You’re Ready, Treatment for Alcoholism is Available

And if you’re taking medication for your pain, there could be drug interaction risks. Taking acetaminophen with alcohol, for instance, increases your risk of liver failure. People who binge drink may only occasionally drink in excess. And while they may not necessarily have alcohol use disorder, regular binge drinking could lead to =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ developing alcohol use disorder.

Common Myths About Alcoholism

Your liver can only metabolize around one standard drink per hour. So while cold showers, hot coffee, and fresh air might feel a little refreshing to someone who has been drinking all night, none will make you sober. This is an easy assumption to make if you’re observing the often less-than-wise behavior that can result from knocking back a few too many. But an myths about alcoholism average night of drinking won’t lead to any long-term brain damage. Drinking too much of any alcohol too quickly can make you sick, whether it’s wine, beer, or liquor.

Alcoholism isn’t as serious as other forms of addiction.

Common Myths About Alcoholism

With growing awareness of alcohol’s health risks, a “sober curious” movement has recently taken off, especially among millennials and young adults. Supporters advocate for a mindful approach to drinking, often encouraging periodic pauses like “Dry January” or “Sober October” and less alcohol consumption overall. But whether it’s through mocktail meetups, outdoor activities, or game nights, there are other ways for people to party, hang out with their friends, and feel in the moment. “Turning the page on alcohol becomes easier when you discover new ways of connecting with people,” she says.

Common Myths About Alcoholism

Treatment Options For Alcohol Addiction

But in general, it’s not the order of alcohol that determines the alcohol rehab severity of your hangover, says Marino. Drinking can cause inflammation, gastrointestinal irritation, disrupted sleep and low blood sugar. It also exposes you to acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct produced when your body metabolizes alcohol, that can damage your cells and tissues. The only surefire way to prevent a hangover is to abstain from drinking, he says. And once you have a hangover, the only thing that will get you over it is time. Some alcoholics do have to lose everything before they get better.