Myths about drinking alcohol: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Dr. Kyle Moore is a family medicine physician and addiction medicine specialist at St. Peter’s Health. As widespread as alcoholism continues to be, there are many misconceptions and… Even if you never drank that much when you were young, you can have problems with drinking as you get older. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment.

If you or a loved one have adopted a dangerous drinking pattern, it is still vital to get the help you need, even if you can function at a somewhat normal pace. Genetics and family history can greatly influence one’s susceptibility to developing an addiction. Environmental factors like stress or trauma also play a significant role. If you are having trouble using or activating MyChart, you can connect with a member of our team. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms or you’re worried they may have an alcohol problem, Addiction Intervention is here to help. It keeps us from seeing AUD in our families and friends, or at our jobs.

Myth #1: Alcoholism is solely caused by an addictive substance

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.

• Alcoholism and addiction are more complex and complicated than simply what a person drinks.
• Since alcohol affects multiple major organ systems, drinking in excess increases the possibility of health problems in all parts of the body.
• During this time in a person’s life, there are fewer consequences for alcoholism.
• It’s important to debunk these alcohol myths and uncover the truth behind alcoholism.
• Maintaining sobriety and establishing a fulfilling life outside of addiction is a unique journey for everyone.
• Contrary to popular belief, an individual struggling with alcoholism doesn’t have to hit rock bottom or eagerly seek help for treatment to make a difference.
• Our Recovery Advocates are ready to answer your questions about addiction treatment and help you start your recovery.

Finding a medical treatment plan or recovery support community can help you heal. However, there are countless addiction treatment options that can be tailored to each individual to help you live a life without alcohol. Many people assume that once people with alcohol addictions get treatment, they’ll be able to drink occasionally with no consequences. One of the more stereotype-inducing myths about alcohol abuse is that it only affects a specific age group. Shelby Hendrix is a blogger from the Northern Midwest with close personal ties to the addiction world. She focuses on the addiction landscape to reach out to those fighting alcoholism and compel them to seek an informed, healthy recovery.

Myth #6: Confrontation and shaming are effective strategies to stop drinking

For example, if you can answer “yes” to any two of the following statements, drinking may be causing you problems. Binge drinking can also result in violent behavior, either towards yourself or others. Over the past two decades, there has been a steady rise in AUDs https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/five-myths-about-alcoholism-you-probably-didnt-know/ among those ages 65 and older. What’s more, people with AUD who are middle-aged and older are at a significantly higher risk for suicide compared to their younger counterparts. In fact, alcohol reduces body temperature because it opens blood vessels (dilates them).

Stop believing and perpetuating these myths so we can open up a truthful dialogue about alcoholism and create a better treatment and accountability process. At high levels of alcohol consumption, quitting without medical support can be life-threatening. Many therapies and medications exist that can help you reach your goals related to alcohol.

Myth #4: Willpower alone can overcome alcoholism

Society tells us that it is ok to drink and even encourages it through social activities such as happy hour and even most social gatherings. Think about the last time you went to a party, event, or another type of social gathering, and there wasn’t alcohol present. Having a few drinks is a way to relax and unwind and have a few too many is just looked at as fun or wild night. If you tried treatment before but were not able to maintain sobriety, that doesn’t mean that treatment doesn’t work.

A standard drink is a 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Drinking and driving is a risk to your health and the health of your community. The psychological and physical impact of alcoholism on a person’s mind and body is not only complex but is an intense change as well.

There’s plenty of misinformation surrounding all kinds of substance abuse, which can be detrimental to you and others. Whatever you drink, it is important to know your alcohol content so you can adapt how much you drink. Click each of the myths below to show the facts about alcohol. Problem drinking is not about what you drink, but how it affects your life.

Alcoholics who try to drink socially or have “just one” drink are usually playing with fire. Most will quickly end up in a full-blown relapse because the mind and body fall back into old habits. People who try to push you to drink in moderation probably don’t have your best interest in mind. Having a strong sober support network you can call on when you’re thinking that having “just one” won’t put you back on a harmful path is key to a successful recovery. A stereotypical image of someone with alcoholism is a person how has lost everything, living on the street with no family or friends.

The long-term costs of addiction are far greater than the short-term costs of medical treatment. When used under a doctor’s supervision, prescription drugs can be effective for treating pain or other conditions. However, these drugs can be dangerous when abused, especially by teens and young adults. According to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, among young adults aged 18–25, 14% used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons within the past year. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism and needs guidance and support in their recovery journey, reach out for help.

One reason is that people become more sensitive to alcohol as they get older. Or they may take medicines that make the effects of alcohol stronger. Some older adults may start to drink more because they are bored or feel lonely or depressed. Heavy drinking can put you at risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease, sleep problems, and some types of cancer.