Reasons Why People Drink Alcohol

Alcohol is all around us. You will see people use it to celebrate, to relax, to party… Pretty much everybody knows that it is an addictive substance. Still, people drink. Some drink it occasionally, but some drink it every chance they get. What are the reasons why people drink that much alcohol?

Level Up Lake Worth, your trusted alcohol rehab center in Florida, will help you understand this. We will explore the most common reasons why people drink alcohol to help you understand your own decisions and behaviors better, and to enable you to make healthier decisions.

The Impact of Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol has a huge impact not only on you personally but on those around you, too. The reasons why people drink alcohol sometimes overshadow all the risks it brings and the damage it causes. Drinking will:

• Damage your liver
• Cause cirrhosis
• Cause high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks
• Weaken the immune system

It will impact your emotional state, too. It will:

• Make you feel sadder, more anxious, and depressed
• Cause mood swings
• Make it hard to control your emotions
• Lead you to emotional dependency

Drinking will affect your social life as well. If you consume a lot of alcohol, you will:

• Ruin your relationship with family and friends
• Have more arguments and misunderstandings with people around you
• Neglect your responsibilities at home and work
• Do risky things like driving under the influence

The Reasons Why People Drink Alcohol

What are the reasons people drink alcohol? One study by Antonia Abbey et al., examines two types of motives for alcohol consumption (Abbey, 1993). The motives include what the study refers to as “personal-effect motives” and “social-effect motives”. This study examines them because most research completed has focused on these two broad categories. Luckily, it does provide some interesting insight as to why people drink alcohol.

Personal-Effect Motives

Drinking for personal reasons (or personal-effect motives) is one reason why people drink. This is an overarching category that includes drinking to cope with, escape, avoid, or control negative emotions. Drinking for these reasons is a form of negative reinforcement. Examples of personal-effect motives for drinking include:

Drinking to Cope with a Divorce or Break-up

Many people drink heavily after divorce or break-up. This is a very common method people use to cope with their loss. People in this situation drink more often, drink larger amounts, and drink alone. They do it to ease their pain and forget about their finished relationship, at least for a few moments. However, this puts people in a risky situation. When they practice these coping strategies, they are more likely to develop serious alcohol problems.

Drinking to Suppress Feelings of Depression, Loneliness, or Inadequacy

Why do people become drinkers? Mental health issues are common reasons. Feelings of depression, loneliness, and anxiety are all reasons why people drink alcohol. Research has found that there is a strong link between intoxication and suicide among men. For women who are feeling depressed, however, it is the consumption of alcohol rather than intoxication, which is linked to suicide ideation.

Alcohol consumption can also lead you to be more impulsive, which can worsen depression symptoms. Instead of drinking as a way to cope with loneliness or depression, why not try other methods such as calling your parents or family members, taking up a new hobby you’ve been meaning to take on, or talking with friends and loved ones about how you’re feeling?

If you are dealing with a mental health issue, drinking won’t help you. If anything, it will make your condition worse, as you are risking developing an addiction. In this case, you will need specialized care from our dual diagnosis treatment Lake Worth center. Here, you will get the support you need and learn how to cope with your mental health in ways that are healthy and that really work.

Social-Effect Motives

Socialization is one of the answers to the question Why do people turn to alcohol? Drinking for social reasons or to “be social” is referred to as social-effect motives. This includes drinking for special events and special occasions, at social gatherings, or having a friendly drink with a buddy. Drinking for these types of reasons is a form of positive reinforcement. Examples of social-effect motives include:

• Drinking at a wedding
• Drinking with friends during a lady’s or men’s night out
• Having a friend over for a few drinks
• Drinking at a barbeque
• Drinking to celebrate a life event, such as an engagement

Additional Reasons

In some cultures, drinking alcohol is a common part of traditions and celebrations. People might drink because it is a normal and accepted practice in their culture. For example, someone might drink during a holiday celebration because it is part of their cultural customs.

More or less, people know that alcohol is not the healthiest thing to consume. So, why do people start drinking alcohol? Advertising and media is also one of the reasons people drink alcohol. The media often portrays drinking alcohol as a glamorous or desirable activity. Advertisements can influence people to drink by showing it as a way to have fun or be successful. For example, seeing a commercial that shows happy people drinking might encourage someone to drink to feel the same way.

Some people drink out of curiosity. They want to know what it feels like or why others enjoy it. For instance, a person might try alcohol for the first time just to see what the experience is like.

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The Pandemic Effect on Why People Drink Alcohol

Abbey’s study goes on to explain why people drink alcohol. Although drinking for social reasons is more common in general, those who drink for personal reasons are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder, also known as alcoholism. However, we predict that the recent pandemic will affect these observations greatly.

During the pandemics, many people were only leaving their homes for essential activities and social lives were very limited by new regulations that prevented larger legal gatherings. A full bar, concert, or large wedding was essentially unheard of. With this being our reality, one could deduce that the rates of social drinking have declined dramatically.

On the other hand, David Dobbs wrote in the Pacific Magazine, “Isolation is the best established, most robust social or psychological risk factor for disease out there. Nothing can compete.” (Dobbs, 2013) With months of heightened incidences of isolation across the country, the prevalence of negative thoughts and mental health concerns arise. Does this mean that rates of personal-effect motivated drinking will also be on the rise? If this is the case, then based on what we know, we can expect that rates of alcohol addiction will also likely increase as some studies suggest that during the pandemic, about 25% of people actually drank more than usual.

Healthy Alternatives to Drinking

There are many reasons why people drink alcohol. For some of them, it is hard to give them up. However, there are many things you can do instead of drinking to feel good. You can do physical activities. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and boost your mood. Activities like running, swimming, or yoga can help you feel better both physically and mentally. For example, going for a jog after a long day can help clear your mind and improve your mood. You can pick up new hobbies, too. They will give you a sense of accomplishment and relaxation.

Emotional support will help you greatly. Something as simple as talking to a friend, a family member, or a therapist will help you process your emotions. Share your feelings with people you trust and discuss your problems. It will give you relief and make you feel better. If you prefer to keep things to yourself, you can write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. It is a great way to express yourself and reflect on your experiences.

One of the most common reasons why people drink alcohol is to relax. Instead of that, you can meditate. It will help you calm your mind and feel more centered. Deep breathing exercises will help you manage stress, too. Take a slow, deep breath. It will reduce your anxiety and improve your mood. Also, you will be focused.

People love to spend time with one another. This is one of the most common reasons why people drink alcohol. However, you can do it in a different setting. Organize a dinner together or play games. A game night with friends is a fun and healthy way to socialize. If you want to be a part of a community and get support from people who think similarly, you can join clubs. For example, explore such clubs during Alcohol Awareness Month. It is a perfect time to find healthier ways to connect and enjoy social activities. Whether it’s a sports team, a book club, or a volunteer group, being part of a community can help you feel more connected and engaged.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Get enough sleep. Sleep at least 7-9 hours each night to feel rested and refreshed. When you get up in the morning, have a healthy, nutritious breakfast. Keep it up throughout the day. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Good food will keep you positive.

Is Alcoholism Common in the US?

More than you’d think. Almost 30 million people aged 12 and older had AUD in the previous year, according to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Unfortunately, people often fail to realize they have a drinking problem and do nothing to change it.

It’s important you are honest with yourself. When you recognize the signs of alcoholism, you must make a change. Quitting on your own might be difficult and overwhelming. To improve your chances of overcoming your addiction, seek treatment. Type in detox centers near me, do your research and find support today.

Treatment for Alcohol Abuse at Level Up Lake Worth

At We Level Up Lake Worth FL, we strive to provide the highest quality, evidence-based treatment plan for each person. We believe that everyone has the right to receive high-quality care in a safe environment that will empower them to change their lives for the better. If you or a loved one might be experiencing alcohol abuse and need help, reach out to us today.

Paula’s Experience

Many people might feel overwhelmed thinking about treatment. Paula was one of them. She says:

For me, Level Up was my first time in treatment. I was pretty scared before I went in…

There are many reasons you might feel scared before you start. You might:

• Have fear because you don’t know what to expect
• Worry about being judged by others, including staff and fellow patients
• Fear that you will not succeed or relapse
• Be worried that you will experience painful or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms

It is normal to feel this way when you are about to experience something new. However, as Pula says:

…the staff were so loving and treated me like family. They understood me, and were caring and patient with me in ways that some family and friends never even were before. I even made friends with some of the other clients like me there. I didn’t know anything about addiction or AA but now I feel empowered and have been practicing sobriety successfully. I highly recommend Level Up!

There are many benefits of giving up alcohol. Here is how our treatment will empower you and improve your life. It will:

• Provide you with a supportive and understanding environment
• Give you a chance to learn about how addiction affects your body and mind. This knowledge will lead you to better choices
• Teach you healthy ways to cope with stress and emotions
• Enhance your self-esteem and confidence
• Prepare you for a better future and help you achieve your goals

Take Action and Make a Positive Change Today

Now that you know the reasons why people drink alcohol can be easily replaced by healthy activities, it is time to do something. If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol, it’s time to take action. It can feel scary to start treatment, but it is nothing compared to the ways your life will improve.

At Level Up Lake Worth, we understand your fears and are here to support you throughout the whole process, starting from alcohol detox to aftercare planning. Our caring staff and effective programs will help you feel stronger and healthier. Don’t wait—reach out to us today and start living a better, sober life.