The debate about the dangers of drinking alcohol has been going on for centuries. The results of various scientific studies are very contradictory: some argue that small doses of alcohol can even be beneficial, according to other experts, alcohol is harmful in any form and in any quantity. American doctors rank alcohol among the twenty most dangerous drugs, where it is in fifth place.
However, in modern society, the tradition of “relaxing” after a hard day, stress, emotional experiences with the help of alcoholic beverages is becoming more and more popular. Most often this happens in the company of other people, but some prefer to drink alone.
Solitary drinking
It is difficult to find a person who could admit that he is addicted to alcohol. Drinking alcohol in the company, on holidays, as a way to relieve stress - all this is considered normal. And even when experiencing a craving for alcohol, a person thinks: “Yes, I want to drink, but I can quit at any moment!”.
The traditional and most widespread form of drinking alcohol is group drinking. That is, drinking alcohol occurs in the company of like-minded people and lovers of relaxation in this way. However, the phenomenon of solitary drinking is not uncommon.
For such people, easy communication in a cheerful company does not give pleasure. A person avoids such pastime and prefers to drink alone, for example, at home after a hard day at work, at the end of the working week, usually this happens in secret from family members. And during a noisy feast, such people may refuse alcohol, preferring to indulge in libations alone.
What are people who prefer solitary drinking?
According to research, a person who enjoys drinking alone is more likely to:
- has a high level of intelligence, is socially well-off (most often has a higher education, a well-paid position, is married);
- self-sufficient, not prone to empathy;
- emotionally unstable, too sensitive and vulnerable, therefore shuns people.
Creative people tend to drink alcohol alone, for whom the state of intoxication helps to stimulate the imagination, helps to find fresh ideas and inspiration. According to scientific research, the desire to drink not with someone, but in solitude, may be the result of psychological disorders such as neurosis, personality disorder, depression.
Also,in this way, actively working people who have to get up early and go to bed late prefer to relax. Problems at work are pretty exhausting, and with the onset of the weekend, a person wants to relax as much as possible with a drink.
Often, lonely people who have neither family nor friends become hostages of a dangerous habit. They do not know what to do with themselves during long evenings and often find themselves in the company of an insidious friend - alcohol.
What are the dangers of drinking alone?
A person who drinks alone is likely to show signs of alcohol addiction more slowly. But such people are more likely to not adhere to the doctor's recommendations. They will not deny themselves the pleasure of having a drink when the thought “I want a drink” arises in the brain, but they are often able to stop drinking alcohol on their own when they see fit.
Single drunkards sharpen those character traits that contributed to this state - emotional instability, impressionability, vulnerability, unsociableness.
Dangerous consequences: how not to become an alcoholic?
If a person allows himself to drink vodka or wine in small quantities from time to time, then most likely nothing bad will happen. But if libations become more frequent, and the dose of alcohol increases, then sooner or later such a hobby will bear fruit.
The main danger is that the first manifestations of alcoholism go unnoticed by a person and the people around him. As a result, a glass of alcoholin the evenings it turns into an attachment, which is very difficult to overcome. And the reason is not in weakness or moral licentiousness, but in the fact that in an organism accustomed to alcohol, the metabolism is disturbed, and it begins to urgently demand another dose, which is manifested by a deterioration in well-being.
Signs of alcoholism
According to doctors, an alcoholic is a person whose body is dependent on the intake of alcoholic beverages. Not every person who drinks alone becomes one. You need to be wary if drinking alone with yourself begins to be associated with some beauty and pleasure.
An ordinary person, in order to drink vodka, wine or cognac alone, needs good reasons - for example, severe stress, fatigue, emotional shock. If you don’t need a reason or a company to get drunk, then you should seriously think about it. In addition to the desire to drink alcohol alone with yourself, there are other signs of developing alcoholism.
Irresistible desire to drink
People who drink alone usually deny this sign of addiction to alcohol, claiming that this is just a way to relieve stress, fatigue. Warning signs are:
- Feeling of joy, revival in anticipation of drinking. A person tries to quickly deal with matters, finish work, so that later he can relax with a glass of his favorite drink at home. A beginner alcoholic feels discomfort without alcohol, although he continues to go to work,do household chores, but at the same time feels inner emptiness. The only thing that revives him is the thought that soon he will be able to drink.
- Feeling psychological and physical comfort while intoxicated.
- Trying to justify your behavior.
- Stubborn refusal to admit addiction.
Lack of alcohol control
Occurring at the first stage of alcoholism, this symptom accompanies the pathology constantly. Its essence is that an alcoholic is not able to limit the intake of alcoholic beverages without stopping at small doses.
No gag reflex
Loss of the protective reflex is considered an objective sign of alcoholism. Vomiting is a reaction to the ingestion of a poisonous substance into the body. The more often a person poisons himself with alcohol, the weaker the protection becomes.
Increased immunity to liquor
Many believe that the ability to drink more than others is a sign of good he alth. In fact, the more often a person drinks, the higher doses he needs to get intoxicated. An increase in the dose of alcohol is a sign of the initial stage of alcoholism.
Systematic alcohol intake
Regular drinking is a sign of alcoholism. The habit of drinking vodka once a week to relax should already alert.
How much to drink: safe doses
Alcohol is a strong psychoactive substance, so the concept of "safe dose" is relative. Even when usingsmall doses of alcohol regularly may develop alcohol dependence. However, scientists have established how much a person can drink in order not to lose control of themselves and be able to stop.
For men, this dose is 50-150 grams of vodka, the fair sex can afford 25-100 grams.
In addition, it is important to consider the regularity of drinking alcohol. The tradition of drinking a glass of vodka or a glass of beer alone on a Friday night can lead to the development of alcohol addiction.
You need to take care of yourself and analyze your attitude towards alcohol. If there is a feeling that alcoholic beverages are becoming an integral part of life, and the desire to drink alone is less and less controllable, without wasting a minute, contact a specialist. Psychotherapy and mild psycho-corrective drugs will help solve this problem.
