Debunking 12 Common Alcohol Myths: The Truth About Alcohol
Alcoholism can have serious consequences for the individual, including liver disease, high blood pressure, and depression. There is a common misconception that alcoholics are people who drink every day. In reality, alcoholics can maintain sobriety for long periods, only to relapse when they encounter a trigger. This is why it’s important to understand that addiction is a disease, not a choice. Just as a person with diabetes can’t “choose” not to have diabetes, someone with alcoholism can’t simply stop drinking. Ultimately, despite the many alcohol myths out there, there really is no “safe” level of drinking.
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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. Log in or create an account for a personalized experience based on your selected interests. “Alcohol is also inflammatory and increases your risk of cancer and other diseases,” he says. If you use alcohol as a way to numb your symptoms of anxiety, this can also make the symptoms worse down the line — due to the fact that you’re not learning how to cope with your emotions properly. One of the biggest misconceptions around alcohol is that it gives you energy, which may motivate you to drink more, especially during social situations.
Common Myths About Alcoholism
This is a recipe for falls, which are typically much more traumatic in older adults and can even be deadly. Alcohol can be especially problematic in older adults because it can conflict with medications and worsen the symptoms of other health problems that are common among older people. In addition to affecting the liver, alcohol affects the brain, the heart, and both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Last but not least, the “hair of the dog” method is another alcohol myth that gets repeated one too many times. Essentially, this “trick” claims that you can kill your hangover with more alcohol.
- Stress doesn’t play a large role in chronic high blood pressure.
- A scientific and philosophical nitpick here, but lightning is just a stream of electrons zapping from cloud to cloud or ground to cloud.
- Being able to drink more may also encourage you to do so, making you more likely to develop an unhealthy habit.
MYTH: Blonde and red hair colors are going extinct.
Some people believe that if those suffering from addiction simply had better willpower they could quit drinking. Addiction is a disease and this myth is the same as saying someone with an illness should just get better by not wanting to be sick. While the sleep-inducing effect of booze can help you drop off at first, alcohol suppresses Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep which can make for a less restful slumber overall. Drinking alcohol before bed also means trips to the bathroom are inevitable, as alcohol is a diuretic. Another side-effect you’ll experience is sweating more, adding to the dehydration. This is the perfect cocktail to have you waking up feeling sleepy and with a sore head and might leave you wondering if that night cap was really worth it.
- In fact, alcoholics have great willpower, as they are often able to hold down jobs and get through a normal day while being hungover.
- Alcohol can be especially problematic in older adults because it can conflict with medications and worsen the symptoms of other health problems that are common among older people.
- « Only in the past three years have I become aware that sugar … is a leading cause of hyperactivity, » the letter stated.
- This in turn heats air into a tube of plasma that’s three times hotter than the surface of our sun.
- Additionally, alcohol can damage the nerves in the inner ear, affecting balance.
Alcohol interferes with normal brain activity, no matter how you feel when you drink. Things like so-called hangover cures, effects of different types of alcohol and even how much alcohol we can handle. Acute stress can temporarily increase blood pressure, but overall it’s not a main cause of hypertension. Things like genetics, smoking, and a bad diet are much bigger factors. Only a small percentage of people with Tourette syndrome randomly yell out swear words.
This won’t completely undo the effects, but it can help to reduce them by allowing the alcohol concentration in your blood to myths about alcoholism lower while you’re still awake. Research finds nearly 30% of U.S. adults drink alcohol to help them fall asleep, and 67% of people who experience insomnia report using alcohol to help them sleep. As a neuroscientist and behavioral change coach, I’ve had many eye-opening conversations with clients about the truths around alcohol. There’s no safe level of consuming alcohol—and the health benefits are vastly out-stated. Many alcoholics cannot stop drinking even when they want to, and they may continue drinking even when it causes serious problems at work, at home, or in their relationships.
For some people who drink, it takes quite a few drinks to « get a buzz » or feel relaxed, and they may be less likely to show signs of intoxication compared to others. These individuals tend to drink more, socialize with people who drink a lot, and develop a tolerance to alcohol, i.e., it takes more and more alcohol to feel or act intoxicated. Someone who misuses alcohol, especially over the long-term, can experience permanent liver, heart, or brain damage. For decades, studies claimed that red wine had heart health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease.