Identify how you think people feel and act when they drink alcohol. You might be amazed to find out that many people focus on the positive effects of drinking alcohol (e.g., alcohol makes us have more fun, be friendlier, and feel more calm) and often forget to contemplate the harmful effects of alcohol use (e.g., alcohol shrinks my ability to think or focus, could cause me to get in trouble with the law). This is true even for people who have never consumed alcohol.
When you drink smaller amounts of alcohol, you experience a “buzz.” People often feel mildly stimulated, excited, and invigorated. Most people think, as they continue to imbibe, they’ll continue to experience these upbeat effects but, since alcohol is a depressant, it slows down your nervous system. Those original positive feelings lessen over time as more alcohol is consumed. You start to feel drained and your movements slow. If you drink more, you won’t regain that “buzz” but will only worsen these adverse effects. Drinking excessively in a short period of time may also lead to alcohol poisoning and death.
Alcohol Beliefs
Beliefs about the positive effects of alcohol predict imminent drinking behavior. Long before kids even begin to drink, they’ve already learned their alcohol beliefs from the people around them. The accessibility of alcohol and modeling of drinking at home (e.g., drinking to unwind after work) affect children’s beliefs about drinking. Ads are also a significant source of children’s positive alcohol expectancies, since observing adults drinking and having fun endorses the positive effects of alcohol for kids.
Students often think heavy “binge” drinking (more than four servings for women, five for men on a single occasion) is more enjoyable because it’s often related with partying and other social happenings. But it isn’t only the alcohol that causes the excitement — it’s also the positive expectancies generated by the social setting. In college bar experiments, where some students were led to believe they were given alcohol, only half were able to identify if they really drank alcohol. In fact, students who were given a placebo had just as good a time as the alcohol drinkers.
Activities Without Drinking
There are many adventure recovery activities you can enjoy without drinking. Go dancing, play games, or take in a movie to name a few. If you choose to drink, do so responsibly. Set your drinking limits before attending social events, keep track of your consumption, and alternate between alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages. Be prepared for potentially dangerous situations where high-risk drinking occurs. Find a friend you can trust to keep you safe from harm during a party and select a designated driver to keep you safe after.
For information on our long-term rehab call Shadow Mountain Recovery at 1-800-764-7250
Blog Post By Andrew Sidoli, Clinical Director, Shadow Mountain Recovery
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