Myths surrounding Alcoholism can be harmful to those in recovery as the perception of addiction is not seen as a disease, but rather a choice made by those who are struggling. Unfortunately, most of what the public knows about alcoholism is surrounded by misinformation myths about alcoholism and myths about what is and how it affects the person struggling and those close to them. We gathered the top 10 myths surrounding alcohol addiction and have debunked them with the truth, but first, we provided a brief overview of what alcoholism is.
Contrary to popular belief, the sequence in which different types of alcohol are consumed does not inherently result in a worse hangover or increased sickness. Research has shown that there is no chemical interaction between beer and liquor that exacerbates hangover symptoms. Therefore, the key to responsible drinking is to pay attention to the amount of alcohol https://ecosoberhouse.com/ consumed and the pace at which it is consumed, rather than the specific types of drinks. Another one of the misconceptions about alcohol is that everyone who drinks heavily will become addicted. According to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 21.5% of people aged 12 and older binge drink within a given month.
Current perspectives on moderate drinking
But the amount of alcohol you’ll need to drink to relieve chronic pain is likely more than the recommended guidelines for safe alcohol consumption. Alcohol tolerance is when drinking the same amount no longer produces the same level of buzz. Because your brain has adapted to the effects of alcohol, you need to drink more alcohol to achieve the same effects. Problem drinking isn’t about what type of alcohol you drink, nor is it about on which days you drink. If you or someone you love is binge drinking every Friday and Saturday night, it could signal a problem with alcohol.
- Consuming food before drinking can slow this process, as the presence of food in the stomach activates enzymes that begin to metabolize alcohol before it enters the bloodstream.
- If someone can consume large amounts of alcohol without showing signs of impairment, they have probably developed a high tolerance for alcohol.
- As scientific understanding has advanced, however, tobacco use has been increasingly recognized as a leading cause of preventable disease and death.
- Some people may feel like they’re too far gone in their disease to get help.
During an evening of drinking, it’s easy to misjudge how long alcohol’s effects last. For example, many people believe that they will begin to sober up—and be able to drive safely—once they stop drinking and have a cup of coffee. The truth is that alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink has been finished.
People who can “hold their liquor” are less at risk for alcoholism.
This is because while it may feel like you’re taking the edge off your hangover and nausea by downing more drinks, doing this will only prolong your recovery process. All you’re doing is adding more toxins to your body that’s already working overtime to clean out the alcohol you’ve already consumed. This is a type of amnesia that people experience when they are inebriated.
