The debate about how dangerous drinking is 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 useful, according to other experts, alcohol brings harm in any form and in any quantities. American doctors rank alcohol among the twenty most dangerous drugs, where it is in fifth place of honor.
Nevertheless, in modern society, the tradition of "relaxing" after a hard day, stress, emotional experiences with alcoholic beverages is becoming increasingly popular. Most often this happens in the company of other people, but some people prefer to drink alone.
Solitary drunkenness
It’s hard to find someone who can admit that he is addicted to alcohol. The use of alcohol in the company, on holidays, as a way to relieve stress - all this is considered normal. And even experiencing a craving for alcohol, a person thinks: “Yes, I want a drink, but I can quit at any moment!”
The traditional and most widespread form of alcohol consumption is group drinking. That is, drinking alcohol occurs to the company of like-minded people and lovers of relaxation in this way. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of solitary drunkenness is often encountered.
For such people, easy communication in a fun company is not a pleasure. A person avoids such a pastime and prefers to drink alone, for example, at home after a hard day at the end of the working week, usually this happens in secret from family members. And during a noisy feast, such people can give up alcohol, preferring to indulge in libations alone.
What are people who prefer solitary drinking?
According to studies, a person who likes to drink alone, most often:
- has a high level of intelligence, is socially prosperous (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 avoids people.
Creative people who are intoxicated with alcohol help to stimulate the imagination and helps to find fresh ideas and inspiration tend to drink alcohol alone. According to scientific studies, the desire to drink not with someone, but in seclusion, may be the result of psychological disorders, such as neurosis, personality disorder, depression.
In addition, actively working people who have to get up early and stay up late prefer to relax in this way. Problems at work are pretty exhausting, and with the onset of the weekend, a person wants to relax as much as possible with the help of a drink.
Often, lonely people who have no family or friends become hostages of a dangerous habit. They do not know where to put themselves on long evenings and often find themselves in the company of an insidious friend - alcohol.
What threatens alcohol abuse alone?
In a person who drinks alone, signs of alcohol dependence are more likely to be slower. But such people are more likely to not adhere to the doctor's recommendations. They will not deny themselves the pleasure of missing a glass when the thought “I want to drink” appears in the brain, but they are often able to refuse to drink alcohol on their own when they consider it necessary.
In single drinkers, those character traits that contributed to this condition — emotional instability, sensitivity, vulnerability, and unsociability — are sharpened.
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 craze will bear fruit.
The main danger is that the first manifestations of alcoholism go unnoticed by the person and the people around him. As a result, a glass of alcohol in the evenings turns into affection, which is very difficult to overcome. And the reason is not weakness or moral licentiousness, but because the metabolism is disrupted in the body, accustomed to alcohol, and it begins to urgently demand the next 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 alcohol in it. Not everyone who drinks alone becomes a person . Caution is necessary if drinking alone with oneself begins to be associated with some beauty and pleasure.
In order to drink vodka, wine or brandy alone, an ordinary person needs good reasons - for example, severe stress, fatigue, emotional shock. If you don’t need any occasion or company to drink, then you should seriously think. In addition to the desire to take alcohol alone with oneself, 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 only a way to relieve stress, fatigue. Alarming signs are:
- Feeling of joy, revival in anticipation of a drink. A man tries to quickly deal with business, finish the job, and then relax with a glass of his favorite drink in the home. A novice alcoholic feels discomfort without alcohol, although he continues to go to work and carry out household chores, but at the same time he feels an inner emptiness. Only thoughts that he will soon be able to drink come to life.
- Sensation of psychological and physical comfort while intoxicated.
- Attempts to justify their behavior.
- Stubborn unwillingness to acknowledge addiction.
Lack of control over the dose of alcohol
Arising in the first stage of alcoholism, this symptom constantly accompanies pathology. Its essence is that an alcoholic is not able to limit the intake of alcoholic beverages without stopping at small doses.
Lack of gag reflex
The loss of a protective reflex is considered an objective sign of alcoholism. Vomiting is a reaction to the ingestion of a toxic substance into the body. The more often a person poisons himself with alcohol, the weaker the defense becomes.
Increased Alcohol Immunity
Many people think that drinking more than others is a sign of good health. In fact, the more often a person drinks, the higher doses he needs to get drunk. An increase in the dose of alcohol is a sign of the initial stage of alcoholism.
Systematic alcohol intake
Regular drinks are a sign of alcoholism. The habit of relaxing vodka once a week should alert you already.
How much to drink: safe doses
Alcohol is a strong psychoactive substance, therefore the concept of “safe dose” is relative. Even with small doses of alcohol, alcohol dependence is regularly possible . However, scientists have established how much a person can drink in order not to lose control of himself and be able to stop.
For men, this dose is 50-150 grams of vodka, women can afford 25-100 grams.
In addition, it is important to consider the regularity of alcohol intake. 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 dependence.
You need to take care of yourself and analyze your attitude to alcohol. If you feel that alcoholic beverages are becoming an integral part of life, and the desire to drink alone is less and less controlled, without losing a minute, consult a specialist. Psychotherapy and mild psycho-correction drugs will help solve this problem.