Additionally, some believe combining different kinds of alcohol leads to faster absorption and an accelerated increase in blood alcohol concentration (BAC), resulting in heightened intoxication. This belief is often based on the assumption that different types of alcohol have varying properties, and mixing them creates a potent concoction. Examples could include mixing beer and wine together or different spirits. Addressing these myths is crucial to fostering a more informed and responsible approach to drug and alcohol use. In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month (April), we’re debunking some of the common misconceptions about alcohol, with the goal of empowering you to drink responsibly if you choose to imbibe. In the newest Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs release, 45 prior studies that stated alcohol protects from heart disease were modified for age, past alcohol usage, and last heart wellness and re-analyzed.
Myth 8: Addiction is completely cured after people are done with rehab.
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. While not everyone who experiments with substances becomes addicted, significant risks are involved. This is because substances like drugs and alcohol can affect the brain’s reward system. This https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ myth revolves around the belief that people with substance use disorders lack self-control. According to this misconception, addiction is solely a result of poor decision-making and moral weakness.
Myth #1: I Do Not Have a Problem Because I Can Hold My Liquor
They think that they are just choosing to continue to drink to the point that it becomes a problem and can just stop whenever they feel like it. Nobody ever started drinking with the goal of it ruining their life. As mentioned before, alcoholism and addiction don’t discriminate against age, ethnicity, or background. Anyone can develop a drinking problem, no matter how old they are. As a person gets older, certain factors may contribute to alcohol being more sensitive to them. Many people who abuse alcohol start from an early age; this continues as they grow older.
Myth 6: Getting professional help for drug or alcohol abuse is for the weak.
All you’re doing is adding more toxins to your body that’s already working overtime to clean out the alcohol you’ve already consumed. It’s a myth that if you drink beer or wine you’re less susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol than if you drink hard liquor. The risk between alcohol and cardiovascular disease is an emerging research area that that I think will get lots of attention in the years to come. But newer research has questioned some of the heart benefits of moderate drinking and has noted key limitations in many analyses.
Myths About Alcohol Addiction With Facts
- That’s why as many as 28% of people with chronic pain turn to alcohol to alleviate their pain.
- It involves an inability to control your alcohol consumption, regardless of its negative effect on your life or health.
- In short, alcohol affects almost every organ and tissue in the body, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, stomach, and more.
- Whether you need help staging an intervention, finding family support services, or locating a rehab center near you, our dedicated addiction specialists are standing by to take your call.
- Substance use treatment should be based on evidence-based practices and consider each individual’s medical history, substance use patterns, co-occurring disorders, and personal preferences.
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. Alcohol use disorder is a complex medical condition affecting the brain. It involves an inability to control your alcohol consumption, regardless of its negative effect on your life or health. It’s common for people to have a casual relationship with alcohol.
We can’t then get frustrated with those people because we built out a cultural norm around it,” he says. “So the actual cause (of any health benefit) probably wasn’t the alcohol at all,” Dr. Oesterle says. Log in or create an account for a personalized experience based on your selected interests. Alcohol use disorder isn’t the only alcohol-related condition that could cause harm. The same study also notes that most students reported taking their first sip of alcohol at home, usually given to them by a parent.
Fact: Opioid addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their past drug use history.
In addition to the Office of the Surgeon General, the American Association for Cancer Research has called for their need. “People have a right to know what the negative impacts of a substance they’re ingesting could have on their health. Warning labels are a great way of giving them that knowledge,” adds Dr. Shield. The warning labels on cigarettes have proven effective in increasing awareness of cancer risk and decreasing use. It would be enough for me, particularly if I had other risk factors for cancers like genetics, environmental stressors, etc.
Myth: A person with strong willpower is less likely to develop alcohol use disorder
About 64,000 people were killed from issues related to drugs in 2016. A 2019 study of alcohol use in England found that people in professional managerial jobs had more occasions to drink than manual workers, casual workers, and unemployed people. Homeownership was also a strong predictor of alcohol consumption, according to the study. And if you’re taking medication for your pain, there could be drug interaction risks. Taking acetaminophen with alcohol, for instance, increases your risk of liver failure. For example, if a person relapses after a period of sobriety, they may need to return to support group meetings, or if they are already attending meetings, add counseling to their treatment plan.
Despite being productive, individuals can face significant internal struggles related to substance abuse. This misconception stems from the belief that addiction only affects those who exhibit visible signs of impairment in their personal and professional lives. Some assume that people who maintain successful careers, have stable relationships, and seem to have their “lives together” cannot possibly live with substance abuse. 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.
While everyone has their own pace, it’s important to be realistic and not wait too long for things to get worse. Unfortunately, many people with drug or alcohol addiction are in denial that they have a problem in the first place. It usually takes the concern and efforts of family and friends to encourage people to go to rehab. And not so long ago there was general consensus that drinking in moderation also came with health advantages, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. According to the National Institute of Health, for men, heavy drinking is considered as five or more drinks on a single day or 15 or more per week.
The human body metabolizes alcohol at a relatively constant rate, and the liver processes the alcohol at a consistent speed, regardless of the source or form of alcohol. For example, fentanyl, a potent opioid prescribed for severe pain after surgery or injuries, can also cause euphoria, tempting some people to misuse it recreationally. This misuse can quickly lead to addiction, making it hard for patients to quit use even when it sober house harms their health.
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Many people may believe the myth that loading up on bread, heavy foods, or even drinking coffee will lower your blood alcohol level. The truth is that time passing is the only way for alcohol to wear off. If a recent doctor’s appointment told you that your liver is in good shape, don’t think that’s a free excuse to drink heavily.
- Although people turn to alcohol to reduce anxiety, distract their minds, and boost their moods, it’s important to remember that alcohol is ultimately a depressant.
- The level of heat at the center of the body drops slowly yet visibly as the blood that had been cooled flows.
- Using any kind of alcoholic beverage to help you sleep is always going to backfire, even if in the moment it feels like it’s helping.
- The stigma and stereotypes surrounding alcoholism frequently distort the reality of what alcoholism looks like.
- With treatment centers scattered across the U.S., AAC offers all of the aforementioned care plus special programs for unique populations (e.g., Veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ population, etc.).
If you think you may have alcohol use disorder or a related problem, such as binge drinking, you’re not alone. One nontraditional form of treatment for alcohol use disorder is moderation management. This approach involves limiting alcohol consumption, specifically for people who aren’t physically dependent on alcohol. And while they may not necessarily have alcohol use disorder, regular binge drinking could lead to developing alcohol use disorder. A common myth around teens and young adults is that it’s more responsible to give minors alcoholic drinks with adult supervision.