Social drinking is a very accepted and common occurrence in today’s society.  Because it is such a widely accepted behavior to drink in social situations, it becomes difficult to tell when this drinking has developed into a very unacceptable behavior.

In a social situation offering alcohol, especially at the end of the day, is the same as offering a cup of coffee.  The consumption of alcohol is commonly accepted and actually a way for friends, social contacts and even co-workers to interact and make a connection.  It does become difficult to tell when this type of social connection has crossed over into an alcohol abuse.  One way to tell is if the social drinking results in hangovers, any kind of uncomfortable behaviors or even blackouts.

Recognizing when you are drinking too much alcohol can be difficult and is different for each person.  Everyone assimilates alcohol at a different rate.  Alcohol is not absorbed into fat so women need to consume less alcohol than men do before they get drunk.  Younger individuals will become drunk or develop health issues quicker than an older individual. The weight, age, gender, height, and race of a person will made a difference of how they are affected by the consumption of alcohol.  It also depends on the person family history and their personal characteristics.

In general, women can drink two glasses of alcohol while men can drink three or four glasses and have the same effect.  Alcohol should not be consumed more than every few days in a month to maintain good health.

Alcoholism probably makes you think of a person who is constantly falling down drunk with a very ill temper and other social problems.  The truth is that most people with a serious problem with alcohol consumption can be very functional and able to hide their alcohol abuse.

When drinking alcohol has become a way of life or a habit, then this is the first warning signal that it is become a real problem.  When it is necessary for a person to have a drink with dinner, after work to relax, in social situations, to celebrate or to unwind then this is a drinking habit.  This habit will soon develop into alcohol abuse that ends up being a secretive habit that goes on every day and even at inappropriate times.

Drinking even small amounts of alcohol on a regular basis means that toxins are getting into the bloodstream and a dependency is developing.  Once this dependence happens, quitting becomes harder and harder.  The desire for a drink turns into a ‘need’ in order to get through daily events and becomes a long term abuse situation.  Changing the developing pattern in its early stages is important.  Recognizing what is happening and admitting there is a problem is the first step.

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Filed under: Alcohol Abuse

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