Drinking Alcohol Alone: Consequences, Risks, & Treatment

Controversy over how dangerous alcohol 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 is harmful in any form and in any quantities. American doctors rank alcohol among the twenty most dangerous drugs, where it is in the honorable fifth place.

However, in modern society, it is becoming an increasingly popular ritual to relax after a hard day, stress, or emotional experiences with alcohol. Most often it happens in the company of many people, but some prefer to drink alone. With this article, we want you to know the risks of drinking alone and finding better rituals instead.

Single Drinking

It is difficult to find a person who can admit that he is addicted to alcohol. Drinking alcohol in the company, on holidays, as a way to relieve stress – it’s all considered normal. And even feeling the craving for alcohol, the man thinks: “Yes, I want to drink, but I can quit at any time!”.

The traditional and most common form of alcohol consumption is group drinking. That is, drinking alcohol is in the company of like-minded people and lovers of relaxation in a similar way. However, the phenomenon of solitary drunkenness is not uncommon.

Such people do not enjoy casual communication in cheerful company. The person avoids such pastimes and prefers to drink alone, for example, at home after a hard day’s work, at the end of the work week it usually happens in secret from family members.

What Are People Who Prefer Single Drinking?

According to research, a person who likes to drink alone often:

• Has a high level of intelligence, socially prosperous (often has higher education, a well-paid position, is married);
• Is self-sufficient, not prone to empathy;
• Is emotionally unstable, too sensitive, and vulnerable, so usually avoids people.

Creative people are prone to drinking alcohol in solitude, to whom the state of intoxication helps to stimulate the imagination, and helps to find fresh ideas and inspiration. According to scientific studies, the desire to drink not with someone but in solitude, may be the result of psychological disorders, such as neurosis, personality disorder, and depression.

In addition, active people who have to get up early and go to bed late prefer to relax in this way. Problems at work are quite exhausting, and with the onset of the weekend a person wants to relax as much as possible with a drink.

Often hostages of a dangerous habit are lonely people who have no family or friends. They do not know where to go in the long evenings and often find themselves in the company of an insidious friend – alcohol.

What Are The Consequences Of Getting Drunk Alone?

In a person drinking alone, the signs of alcohol dependence are likely to be slower. But such people are more likely not to follow the doctor’s recommendations. They will not deny themselves the pleasure of missing a glass when the thought “I want to drink” arises in the brain, but they are often able to give up alcohol on their own when they see fit.

Dangerous Consequences: How Not To Become An Alcoholic?

If a person allows themselves to drink vodka or wine in small quantities from time to time, then, most likely, nothing bad will happen. But if the infusions become more frequent, and the dose of alcohol increases, sooner or later this hobby 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 an addiction, which is very difficult to overcome. And the reason is not in weakness or moral depravity, but in the fact that in the body accustomed to alcohol, metabolism is disturbed, and he begins to insist on the next dose, which is manifested by deterioration of health.

Signs Of Alcoholism

According to doctors, an alcoholic is a person whose body is dependent on the intake of alcohol. Not everyone who drinks in solitude becomes a person. It is necessary to be on guard if drunkenness alone with oneself begins to be associated with some beauty and pleasure.

An ordinary person needs good reasons to drink vodka, wine or cognac alone – for example, severe stress, fatigue, emotional shock. If drunkenness does not require any reason or company, it is worth thinking seriously. In addition to the desire to drink alcohol alone, there are other signs of alcoholism.

An Irresistible Desire To Drink

People who drink alone usually deny this sign of alcohol dependence, arguing that it is just a way to relieve stress and fatigue. Spoken signs are:

• Feelings of joy, revival in anticipation of drinking. The person tries to sort things out as quickly as possible, finish work, and then relax with a glass of your favorite drink at home. A novice alcoholic feels discomfort without alcohol, although he continues to go to work, do household chores, but at the same time feels an inner emptiness. Only the thought that he will soon be able to drink revives.
• Feeling of psychological and physical comfort in a state of intoxication.
• Attempts to justify their behavior.
• Stubborn reluctance to admit dependence.