There are a lot of people who prefer to use alcohol as more of a social lubricant than an actual daily habit or a way of blowing off steam. This is the so-called social drinking. Now, the majority of people know that drinking in moderation isn’t dangerous, in fact, it can even have some advantages for you. The problem, nonetheless, lies in the fact that not a lot of people understand this concept, to begin with. What is social drinking? Where does one draw the line between social and problem drinking? What are the perks that social drinkers are looking for? Here are the answers to some of these questions.
What is social drinking?
The very fact that the phenomenon of social drinking also goes by the name responsible drinking might already indicate a huge gap between these two concepts. Drinking in a social setting without the intention of getting intoxicated is often the definition of social drinking. Seeing as how alcohol may lower the tension and let everyone loosen up, the term social lubricant (that we’ve used in the introduction) really isn’t that far-fetched. Now, social drinking may take place only on special occasions, on weekends or even during the
Social drinking vs. problem drinking
One of the first things worth considering is the very definition of problem drinking. According to numerous surveys, moderate drinking can even go as far as being beneficial. It can improve one’s sleep, help people focus, relieve stress and even boost their immune system. Past a certain point, however, it becomes an unhealthy habit and counters all its positive effects with a plethora of negative factors. When it comes to numbers, it comes down to one’s sex and bodyweight (also, different people have different alcohol tolerance levels). Generally speaking, fewer than 14 drinks for men and 7 for women every week are considered to be moderate drinking.
It has a long history
The thing about social drinking is that it’s almost as old as the civilization itself. Since ancient times, it was impossible to imagine a social event of any kind without an abundance of alcohol. In ancient Russia, for instance, it was considered rude not to toast with a host while under their roof. In fact, there was a belief that a reluctance to get drunk senseless during the feast is a sign that the person is hiding something (and therefore fears getting drunk amongst people they’re deceiving).
All across the globe, there are so many regions in which alcohol consumption on special occasions is a sign of tradition. Popping a Champaign is a common way of celebrating a major business success or commemorating an important milestone. There are regions all over the globe where one’s ability to handle one’s drink is a measure of their masculinity. So, the first time you go to meet your in-laws, being able to take a shot or two might make a great impression on your SOs male relatives.
Breaking the ice
There are a lot of instances where alcohol is used as a feature around which the event is planned. For instance, it’s nearly impossible to throw a frat party without alcohol consumption. It’s its integral part. When it comes to entertainment, there are so many drinking games out there, some of which may put a completely new perspective on your alcohol consumption habit. Then again, you might have gotten your hand on the first-grade bottle of plum brandy and are now considering making a slivovitz cocktail or two, thus throwing a cocktail party.
When is it dangerous?
There are a lot of those who fear that alcohol of any kind may, gradually, lead you down the path. You have a rough work week and you get drunk on the weekends, so what’s there to stop you from repeating this process; first every week and then on a daily basis. Previously, we’ve talked about the quantities of alcohol but this definitely isn’t all that matters. There are also some symptoms that are far stronger indicators that you may have (or are on the way of developing) and addiction. First of all, if you’ve started putting alcohol above responsibilities and are hiding how much you really drink, you may just have a problem.
Once you realize that telling alcoholics apart from responsible drinkers is not that hard, you might just be able to put your mind at ease. Alcoholics put alcohol first and are unwilling to relinquish it even for the sake of people who are closest to them. They’re unable to control the habit which makes them miss out on opportunities in all other aspects of their lives. Like any other type of addict, they’re not trustworthy and often choose the company of other alcoholics over anyone else.
Benefits of casual drinking
Drinking casually (responsibly/socially) can have a long list of perks, both social and health-related. For one, it’s known to reduce the risk of diabetes. It may also benefit your heart in a number of ways, starting from reducing the risk of developing and dying of heart disease. Aside from this, it can also reduce the risk of ischemic stroke, which is definitely to be underestimated. For a lot of people with anxiety issues, alcohol is known to make people friendlier and more social. One of its most renowned properties is its mythical ability to make people appear more attractive, thus serving a crucial role in the dating world.
In conclusion
Alcohol is a huge part of our society, economy, and tradition. Sure, some people can’t hold their liquor but this doesn’t mean that all alcohol is bad or that it should be banned in its entirety. After all, it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry that employs millions across the globe. It’s also a phenomenon that served as an inspiration to so many works of art and as a basis for a tremendous number of major historical events. In other words, just like anything else that humankind has ever invented, it has the potential for a disaster but also a potential for greatness.