Social drinking puts a reasonable limit on the frequency/amount of alcohol consumed and generally is part of a social gathering or celebration. The consumption of alcohol is not the reason to participate in these activities and is not a major component.
Alcohol
It’s important to remember that the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is actually ethyl alcohol – a drug. A colorless liquid that, through thousands of years of personal and cultural celebrations, has been a part of the social fabric that, generally speaking, has brought people closer together. Unfortunately for some, alcohol has also been a factor in destroying self-respect and splitting people apart.
There’s really no mystery regarding the effect that alcohol has on us, as a ‘depressant’ – effectively an anesthetic – it slows certain parts of the brain, as well as your central nervous system. And it’s the amount of alcohol consumed that ultimately determines the effect it has on you – not the type of drink consumed. Here are a few of the effects that can be typically encountered following the consumption of an excess amount of alcohol:
In the Short Term:
- Heart Rate and Breathing Rate Slowed
- Motor Skills, Vision, Speech, and Judgment Impaired
- Anxiety, Confusion, Memory Loss, and ’blackouts’
- Possible Danger when Combined with other Drugs
- Drop in Blood Pressure
- Dehydration
- Overdose Leading to Alcohol Poisoning or Death
In the Long Term:
- Damage to the Heart and Liver
- High Blood Pressure
- Mouth and/or Throat Cancer
- Ulcers
- Increased Risk of Stroke
- Increased Risk of Damage During Pregnancy
Alcohol, in its many forms, is not a cause of concern for most people. But just as some people have personal issues with cancer, heart disease, vision, hearing, and a host of other life-altering diseases or afflictions, for a surprisingly large segment of society, alcohol abuse leading to alcoholism is the stumbling block. We recognize that most folks can drink safely – and although alcohol abuse is behind many preventable deaths, in moderation, alcohol may actually provide some health benefits.
For those of us who are unable to consume alcohol in moderation, the warning signs are clear to see, and the potential impact on our health is well documented. There is nothing bad or wrong with alcohol itself, but when alcohol use turns to abuse, the trap has been set.
Alcoholism
We answered many of your questions regarding alcoholism in our FAQ section, but to concisely differentiate social drinking from alcoholism, compare these behaviors:
Alcoholism becomes a potential factor when an individual crosses over to inappropriate drinking behaviors:
- Drinking Alone for the Pleasure and Sense of Well-Being that it Provides
- No Longer Requiring a ‘Social Reason’ for Drinking
- Increased Frequency of Consumption
- Self-Medicating with Alcohol to Deal with Depression and Personal Problems
- Lying About/Hiding Excess Drinking from Family, Friends, and Co-Workers
- Withdrawal from Social Interactions that may Put a Limit on ‘Drinking’
- A Loss of Control Over Drinking Habits
- Always a Good Excuse to have a Drink
- Sensitive to Questions about the Level of Drinking
- Less Attention to Personal Appearance and Nutrition
Frequently, the drinker moving steadily towards alcoholism is suffering from personal issues that are easier to run from in an alcoholic haze than to address head-on. The change from a social drinker to a heavy drinker to an alcoholic can be virtually transparent to both the individual and those around them. Picking up warning signs at an early stage can give the problem drinker, as well as concerned parties, an opportunity to take positive steps to address the issue.
Alcoholism is a disease that has no particular ‘target market’. People of all ages and backgrounds are at risk, and if you’re suffering from a chronic drinking problem, it’s not because you’re weak or due to a lack of moral conviction. Recovering from the ravages of alcoholism is a gradual process, and while alcoholism cannot be cured – it can be arrested. It’s important to remember that completely quitting drinking is just another step on the road to recovery, but it is a critical step that you can successfully take.