For example, if you can answer “yes” to any two of the following statements, drinking may be causing you problems. You do not need to drink every day to have a problem with alcohol. Heavy drinking is defined by how much alcohol you have in a day or in a week. Last but not least, the “hair of the dog” method is another alcohol myth that gets repeated one too many times. Essentially, this “trick” claims that you can kill your hangover with more alcohol. Of all the shady hangover cures out there, this one may be the most harmful.

Addiction can occur at any stage of life and equally affect people who are successes or outcasts. 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. Drinking responsibly doesn’t just come down to the amount you consume, but also how you consume it.

Cocaine Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

Connect with support groups to share experiences with others who understand. Remember that our worth is not defined by our struggle with alcoholism, and recovery is always possible. Yes, through education, support, and advocacy, the negative effects of stigma can be mitigated. Building a strong support network and fostering a community of understanding can empower individuals to reclaim their narratives and live without the burden of stigma. Stigma can lead to feelings of shame and isolation, making it more difficult for us to seek help. It can exacerbate mental health issues, hinder recovery, and even contribute to self-stigmatization, where we internalize the negative beliefs held by others.

• One of the biggest misconceptions around alcohol is that it gives you energy, which may motivate you to drink more, especially during social situations.
• Heavy drinking can put you at risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease, sleep problems, and some types of cancer.
• Similarly, the physical volume of different alcoholic beverages may vary, but the actual alcohol content determines the effect on the body, regardless of whether they are mixed or taken separately.
• We know much more about the effects of alcohol today than in the past.
• Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Often, this leads to more drinking or to sedative abuse in the quest for sleep. 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. And while it may seem harmless to live by some of these “tips,” some of these alcohol myths can put your health at risk.

Myth #1: A glass of red wine is good for your heart

This misunderstanding may encourage individuals to engage in risky behaviors, such as driving or operating machinery, under the incorrect assumption that they are no longer impaired. This is because while it may feel like you’re taking the edge off your hangover and nausea by downing more drinks, doing this will only prolong your recovery process. 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. Hangovers are characterized by a combination of negative mental and physical symptoms that occur after alcohol consumption, generally starting when blood alcohol concentration (BAC) nears zero. The symptoms range from generalized discomfort to more severe consequences such as absenteeism and even emergency department visits.

Educate ourselves, challenge stigmatizing language, engage in open conversations, advocate for better policies and support systems, and create a supportive environment for those affected. Celebrating recovery milestones and sharing success stories can also help change perceptions. Drinking impairs your judgment, which increases the likelihood that you will do something you’ll later regret. It increases the chance that you will cause harm to others and/or not be aware of potential dangers around you. Critical decision-making abilities are already diminished long before a person shows physical signs of intoxication.

These can be impaired for several hours after you stop drinking. This is why it is never safe to drive after you have been drinking, no matter how many cups of coffee you have. It takes about 2 hours for the adult body to eliminate the alcohol content of a single drink, depending on your weight. Nothing can speed up this process—not even coffee or cold showers. If you’ve ever heard the phrase that a couple of cocktails can “take the edge off” after a long week at work, you may believe the myth that alcohol can calm you down. And while alcohol can initially make you feel looser and at ease (again, because it’s a depressant), the effects don’t last long.

Myth 8: Alcohol only hurts your liver

Due to the potential negative repercussions, many individuals choose to Alcoholism Myths hide their struggle with alcoholism, preventing them from seeking the help and support they need. You may think that drinking problems have to start early in life. In fact, some people develop problems with drinking at a later age. Being able to have a few drinks without feeling any effects may seem like a good thing. In fact, if you need to drink increasing amounts of alcohol to feel an effect, it could be a sign you have a problem with alcohol. For the same reasons why you shouldn’t mix alcohol with caffeine, this energy-drink combo can also cause masked intoxication — which can lead to consumption of more alcohol than your body can handle.

Myths About Drinking Alcohol You Should Stop Repeating

Alcohol interferes with normal brain activity, no matter how you feel when you drink. One of the biggest misconceptions around alcohol is that it gives you energy, which may motivate you to drink more, especially during social situations. This “illusion of warmth” can lead to riskier behavior, like not packing on enough layers or staying outside for too long. As summer ends and the temperatures begin to dip, fall and holiday-themed cocktails designed to warm you up from the inside out become all the rage. But experts say that spiked beverage won’t actually bring you much relief.

• As blood vessels dilate, blood flow increases to the surface of the skin, creating a warm sensation.
• Connect with support groups to share experiences with others who understand.
• This misunderstanding may encourage individuals to engage in risky behaviors, such as driving or operating machinery, under the incorrect assumption that they are no longer impaired.
• Additionally, alcohol has been shown to reduce the natural shivering response, an involuntary action that generates heat and helps to keep the body warm.
• As we journey towards recovery, remember this is a personal story, a story of renewal from which we’ll emerge stronger, wiser, and more empowered.
• Some older adults may start to drink more because they are bored or feel lonely or depressed.

People with long-term (chronic) pain sometimes use alcohol to help manage pain. Even if you never drank that much when you were young, you can have problems with drinking as you get older. “Alcohol is also inflammatory and increases your risk of cancer and other diseases,” he says. So, while you may temporarily feel at ease in the moment, you can feel more stressed the day after. Normally, your body cycles through light and deep phases of sleep. Alcohol inhibits refreshing REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and later on causes “REM rebound,” with nightmares and trouble sleeping.

Myth 9: Mixing energy drinks and alcohol is OK

Understanding these negative effects underscores the need for a compassionate approach to alcoholism. As we work to dismantle the stigma, we open the door for more individuals to embrace recovery without the added weight of societal judgment. The pervasive myth is that alcoholism affects only those who’ve “failed” to maintain social norms. Alcoholism can be found in every corner of society, from the boardroom to the artist’s studio. It affects high-powered professionals, loving parents, and respected elders alike.

Myth 4 (for women)

While alcohol consumption may induce a temporary feeling of warmth, its overall impact on the body leads to a decrease in core temperature. This phenomenon can be explained by the vasodilation caused by alcohol, which is the expansion of blood vessels. As blood vessels dilate, blood flow increases to the surface of the skin, creating a warm sensation. Seek professional help, such as counseling or a treatment program.

Myth 10: Drinking more alcohol can cure a hangover

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (). URAC’s accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.’s editorial policy, editorial process, and privacy policy. Problem drinking is not about what you drink, but how it affects your life.