Busting Myths About Alcoholism: Separating Fact from Fiction


Common Myths About Alcoholism

Individuals in a medically monitored detox receive what is alcoholism 24-hour supervision with clinicians available to give medications if necessary. The main goal of detox is to stabilize the patient and prepare them for a formal treatment program. Click each of the myths below to show the facts about alcohol. Binge drinking can also result in violent behavior, either towards yourself or others.

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It’s because tackling addiction requires a comprehensive recovery plan that addresses the underlying factors contributing to it. A classic misconception – that some people can handle their booze better than others. While it may seem like those who can knock back several drinks without stumbling are in control, it’s not necessarily a sign of lower alcoholism risk. It’s not just about enjoying a cold one with friends or having an occasional drink at a party – oh no! Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is when someone has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and becomes dependent on it. And while the only way to fully prevent hangxiety and hangovers is to abstain from alcohol, she says it helps to go into social situations in the best possible headspace.

  • High tolerance also increases your risk for dependence and addiction.
  • In reality, brain changes that occur with excessive drinking can impair judgment and make a person resist seeking treatment.
  • This may include alcohol withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea, vomiting, or mental health repercussions like anxiety or depression.
  • That includes age, weight, gender, ethnicity, family history, nutritional status, smoker status, mood, health conditions or whether you’re taking any medications.
  • The main goal of detox is to stabilize the patient and prepare them for a formal treatment program.

Age Doesn’t Matter

Common Myths About Alcoholism

“But your hangover is just going to be pushed down the road.” Alcohol increases urine production, so it’s true that dehydration can often contribute to the hurt of a hangover. Unfortunately, no, says Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist and an emergency physician at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. “I wish there was some magic drink everyone could have, but there isn’t.”

Myth 1: Drinking perks you up at parties

  • And yes, you do have a choice of whether you reveal that you’re in recovery, but we should not hide.
  • Alcohol is alcohol, so sticking to beer or mixing your drinks won’t minimize it’s effects.
  • In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications, such as seizures or delirium tremens.
  • In fact, research shows that individuals who engage in comprehensive and personalized recovery programs have higher success rates in achieving long-term sobriety.

Men absorb alcohol faster than other variables, but alcohol affects men and women differently. Mixing all =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ these beverages in one night could leave you sick. Communication challenges could trigger mental illnesses like memory loss and multitasking.

Common Myths About Alcoholism

Common Myths About Alcoholism

In fact, it can often worsen the situation and drive them deeper into isolation. Eventually, that bloody mary you had at brunch will leave your system, and you’ll have to deal with the aftermath. You’re not doing yourself any favors by piling on, says Marino. They can last 24 hours or longer depending on how much you drank, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcoholics are often high-functioning people who are well educated and hold good jobs.

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  • There are many untrue beliefs that people hold about alcohol and how it’s used.
  • Many alcoholics may have periods of sobriety or only drink on certain occasions.
  • Check out our blog posts and resource links for the latest information on substance abuse.
  • And while alcohol can initially make you feel looser and at ease (again, because it’s a depressant), the effects don’t last long.
  • Many believe alcohol kills brain cells because it shifts thoughts and actions.
  • From detoxification treatment to inpatient programs, and medication-assisted recovery, you’ll be able to find the best program for your needs.

For years, research and popular culture have said moderate alcohol intake is safe. Alcohol can safeguard from heart disease, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis in small amounts. Foods that typically serve to make energy turn to fat and are kept in your body rather than the calories can serve as a quick supply of energy. Plus, alcohol’s effects on the liver and pancreas inhibits the transport of digestive enzymes and essential nutrients through the body. This slows muscle growth and repair and interferes with the metabolism of carbs for energy.

Common Myths About Alcoholism

There’s not myths about alcoholism a clear-cut path for overcoming addiction and there are plenty of treatment programs and methods available to you and your loved ones. As with any health condition, relapse is sometimes a part of the recovery process for an alcohol use disorder. A relapse suggests that a person needs to return to treatment or adjust their approach to treatment. Researchers have even divided alcoholism into five subtypes, one being the functional subtype. Even people who have a strong family history of alcohol addiction are likely to have a job, with 68% in this subtype working full-time. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications, such as seizures or delirium tremens.

Common Myths About Alcoholism

Alcohol inhibits refreshing REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and later on causes “REM rebound,” with nightmares and trouble sleeping. 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. Diabetes was recently named “a defining disease of the 21st century” by the medical journal The Lancet.In the United States, … Alcoholism is not a reflection of someone’s character or moral worth. It’s a legitimate illness that affects millions of people worldwide. Shaming or confronting someone with addiction rarely leads to positive change.

  • Regardless of what most people think, judging by research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), just over a third of youths don’t consume alcohol often.
  • If a person is dependent on alcohol, they will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating and tremors when not drinking.
  • This supportive, educational setting is grounded in the spiritual principles of AA.
  • Consuming just one alcoholic drink a day with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil, Aleve or aspirin can increase your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding by 37%, according to the NIAAA.
  • In addition to affecting the liver, alcohol affects the brain, the heart, and both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

It usually takes the concern and efforts of family and friends to encourage people to go to rehab. Meeting two or more criteria without drinking around the clock is possible. Among the different subtypes of alcoholism, functional alcoholics drink an average of 181 days per year, the equivalent of every other day. Chronic, severe alcoholics drink, on average, 247.5 days per year, which is also less than daily. One common myth about alcohol addiction is that only certain types, like hard liquor, are addictive. Consuming any kind of alcohol in excess can lead to addiction.

A common myth around teens and young adults is that it’s more responsible to give minors alcoholic drinks with adult supervision. This myth is based on the idea that kids will drink anyway, so they might as well be in the presence of a responsible adult. In fact, alcohol can make sleep worse and menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats more pronounced. Consuming alcohol during menopause can also increase the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, says Dr. Jewel M. Kling, M.D., M.P.H., a physician with Mayo Clinic Women’s Health in Arizona. Those who maintain that they can hold their liquor, meaning that they can drink larger amounts with fewer apparent effects, may drink in excess to feel intoxicated.

Updated: December 20, 2024 — 1:23 AM