6 Common Myths About Drug and Alcohol Use Sharp HealthCare

However, there’s limited research showing the efficacy of this form of treatment. Evidence also shows that continuing to drink in moderation while in recovery may heighten your cravings for alcohol. You may think that drinking can help alleviate pain, but evidence suggests that chronic drinking can worsen pain levels. Even though alcohol can lower your inhibitions, it’s also considered what are some common myths and facts about alcohol a depressant.

Consider Outpatient Treatment

You should keep in mind that addiction never follows clear patterns. Sometimes it’s not even about how much you drink… because some individuals can be more vulnerable to addiction due to genetic factors. Trust me when I say that even https://innex.co.th/what-makes-alcohol-addictive-understanding-alcohol/ moderate drinking can easily turn into a stubborn dependency.

• Coffee might temporarily make you more alert, but it does not reduce alcohol’s effects on coordination and judgment.
• For many individuals, drinking can lead to negative experiences, including increased anxiety, depression, or aggressive behavior.
• Our peer coaches help teach concerned loved ones how to positively impact their unwell loved one while avoiding detachment and confrontation.

Habits for Proper Mental Health

Opioids are meant to be taken for a short time for pain, not to cope with stress or emotional pain or, in the case of teens and young adults, as a social activity. Yes, most people choose to consume drugs or alcohol for the first time. Still, over time, the use of these substances can change the chemistry of your brain, specifically in the areas that release feelings of pleasure and relaxation.

• When it comes to treatment for addiction to alcohol or drugs, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” plan.
• This translates to a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce beer, or a 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits like vodka, whiskey, or tequila.

Myth: Everybody drinks.

Many people use alcohol as a sleep aid, believing it helps them fall asleep more easily. While alcohol can indeed make you feel drowsy and fall asleep faster, the quality of sleep after drinking is typically poor. Many people assume that alcohol affects everyone in the same way,but this is far from the truth. The effects of alcohol can vary significantly from person to person due to a variety of factors. What matters most is the total amount of alcohol consumed, not the order in which different types of drinks are consumed. Mixing different types of alcohol might make you feel worse simply because you end up drinking more overall.

In blind tastings, lower-priced wines or spirits often perform equally well or even better than more expensive bottles. Factors such as brand reputation, marketing, packaging, and rarity heavily influence price—but not always quality or flavor. Alcohol inhibits nerve activity in several brain areas, making you react more slowly, have difficulty coordinating your movements, and think less clearly. At a blood alcohol level above 1, many people become visibly tired and dozy, and if the level rises above 2 or 3, you drug addiction could become unconscious or even die. When it comes to alcohol, the line between fiction and fact is often blurry. Whether it’s at a party with friends or through pop culture references, there are quite a few things about drinking alcohol that get misconstrued.

OUD, for example, is an acquired relapsing disease that dysregulates cognition and goal-directed behavior, changing the person in many ways. Over my 50-year career as an addiction researcher, these are the most common misconceptions I’ve heard about people with alcohol and drug addictions. Many people believe recreational drug and alcohol use, i.e., from time to time, isn’t harmful. This is mainly a dangerous misconception for individuals who experiment with substances casually.

Life

The American Heart Association does not recommend that people start drinking alcohol for cardiovascular benefits. The potential risks of alcohol consumption, including high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and increased calorie intake leading to obesity, can negate any potential heart benefits. You may have heard that moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, is good for your heart. While some studies have suggested potential cardiovascular benefits from moderate drinking, the relationship between alcohol and heart health is complex and not fully understood. The effects of alcohol start sooner than people realize, with mild impairment (up to 0.05 blood alcohol concentration BAC) starting to affect speech, memory, attention, coordination, and balance.