As far as social drinking is concerned, alcohol shouldn’t be a beverage regarded with disdain; as a matter of fact, it is said to provide a number of benefits. First, it is considered by many to be a “social lubricant”, allowing conversations to flow naturally than they otherwise would have sans alcohol; second, it can help in relieving stress especially after such long and difficult days; lastly, certain forms of alcohol, particularly red wine, are said to be good for the heart. These said, it can be safe to conclude that alcohol can never be too bad of a thing – until the boundaries of what would still pass as social drinking has been surpassed.
Social drinking – defined
Drinking to celebrate milestones, victories, and special occasions is the most common and perhaps most acceptable definition of social drinking. Social drinking can also be marked by rare incidences of alcohol intake in which no alteration of behavior and significant mental processes occur. Ultimately, social drinkers never get into trouble due to intoxication and shouldn’t have problems in cutting back their intake.
And while defining social drinking can be easy, pointing what it is not is usually the harder part.
Where alcoholism starts
An individual who feels like heading out to the bar for a few drinks after a hard day at work is different from the person who habitually drinks in order to feel better – even without the presence of a stressor. Moreover, a person who constantly drinks and forgets all that has happened in the course of drinking (widely referred to as “black out”) would not pass as a mere social drinker. The inability to enjoy certain activities, gatherings, or celebrations without being intoxicated is also a sign that a person may already be having problems with alcohol. Basically, anything that characterizes any abnormality in the social, mental, or psychological functions of a person can be a sign of alcoholism.
The lines distinguishing the social drinker from the alcoholic can be incredibly thin, so that it may not always be as obvious that one already needs professional help. Confirming alcoholic behavior are the following:
- Unrestrained urge to drink even after negative events (e. g. accidents, disputes) have occurred as a result of intoxication
- Drinking because it provides comfort amid problems, stress, or fatigue.
- Inability to fulfill occupational and societal roles because the drinking has been taking up majority of one’s time.
- A higher tolerance for alcohol; meaning the individual needs a higher dosage in order to feel the effects of drinking.
- Futile attempts to reduce intake or totally stop the destructive drinking habit.
Why asking an alcoholic would be pointless
Alcoholics would naturally deny that the drinking is already a problem as this is their way of rationalizing the habit. Admitting that it is already stirring up major life issues could only lead to someone stopping them from doing it, which is why they will continue to deny that it is the real root of what they could currently be going through.
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Cedric Loiselle is a highly talented writer providing quality articles for a wide range of niches including health and fitness. If you’re looking for New Hampshire treatment centers, he highly recommends Easter Seals.
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