Top 5 Myths About Alcoholism

When it comes to alcohol dependency, there is lots of false information flying about. If you think you might be drinking a bit too much, it’s easier to face the facts for some people than it is for others. Whatever the case, it’s useful to know the myths in order to deal with the reality. So, here are the top five falsities about alcoholism.

It’s Just Weekend Drinking

Alcoholism is less about when you drink and more about how much you drink when you do. Anyone who says they only drink on a weekend is quite likely to be pulling the wool over their own eyes. When it comes to seriously thinking about how to stop drinking, it is important to look at the bigger picture, and if weekend drinking features heavily, that is a clear indication of a real problem. Any form of heavy drinking, weekend or otherwise, puts your body at risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, liver problems, and more.

Drinking Problems Are for Young People

Drinking problems can strike at any age, regardless of whether you are 17 or 70. So, don’t let your age fool you because there are dangers for seniors and teenagers when it comes to consuming too much alcohol. While teenagers may be more likely to get behind the wheel over the limit, seniors are at an increased fall risk and becoming seriously ill more quickly.

I Don’t Feel That Drunk

This is a big red flag. Drinking a lot but not feeling inebriated is a sure sign that there may be a problem. If you find yourself thinking you need one more drink to feel the buzz, then you need to take a step back and evaluate what’s really going on. The more you drink, the bigger your tolerance becomes and the harder it is to stop.

Alcohol Makes Me Feel Better

There are no circumstances that ever make alcohol improve your pain. It may numb the feeling, but it never makes it better. In fact, it has the opposite effect in that it makes you very, very ill after prolonged use. It is even worse for your kidneys and general functioning if you are drinking booze while taking painkillers because the two interact horribly in the wrong quantities.

Coffee Will Help

The only way to get properly sobered up after a drinking session is by waiting, resting and not taking on any more alcohol. Coffee might give you the illusion of sobriety, but it is no silver bullet. It will not help you think clearly enough to drive, for instance, or even function at work. Drinking coffee while you still have alcohol in your system is a dangerous game because it tricks you into thinking everything is okay when it isn’t. Don’t fall for its tricks, and make sure you take time to sober up before you do anything important that requires real brain function, like decision making.

So, there you have it. All the big myths about alcoholism are the dangerous mistruths that lead to people getting addicted and struggling to heal. Moving forward means learning the truth and how to avoid trouble.