Despite Consequences, Why Does a Person Continue to Drink?

Continuous Drinking

Those who do drink alcohol have asked this question, and family and friends have asked it as well. Throughout history, anyone close to or associated with alcohol abusers has, at one point or another, asked– Why does the person continue to drink?

Obviously, the person must recognize it is harming them and others. And in many cases, this is true. Yet, even realizing this, they just keep on doing it. Studies from some of the top universities and medical institutions have concluded many reasons. There are about as many reasons as there are degrees of alcohol dependencies.

So, why does a person continue to drink despite the consequences? Please read on to find out.

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The Agreed Categories

If one breaks it down, and it has been done, most authorities would agree on 4 types of alcohol dependency:

A . Social drinking

We all can recognize the social aspects of alcohol use. This is seen at weddings, funerals, family gatherings, sports events, etc., where a couple of beers, a glass or two of wine with a gourmet supper, etc.

B . Drinking to conform

Here is the simple aspect of trying to fit in: ” If X is drinking, well, I may as well.” Or a person who accepts a glass of wine but sips it all night just to be part of the group, and similar circumstances. Many celebrations will put forth a toast, which requires a glass of some liquid. People will accept it but do not really want it.

D . Drinking for excitement

Here, we find mostly youths, young adults, and sometimes middle-aged adults. Getting drunk is ‘being part of the cool crowd’ or playing “beer pong” and similar drinking games. Drink to party and have fun, and in the end, be silly. Here you see the wedding crashers, the party trashers, etc.

E . Drinking to cope.

Then there is the person who drinks to get through the day. Even start the day. Whether it’s to drown the loss of a loved one, unable to handle their job, marital problems or dealing with kids, etc.

Relentless “Must have, not Want”

So, why does a person continue to drink? B, C and D above would benefit from addiction treatment. But it still does not explain the continued ‘must have it’ and ‘don’t want it’ that most people face with alcohol dependency experience.

However, some of this is a hereditary side of alcoholism. We also can say that alcohol is addictive. It creates addictions. And though that is true, it still lacks some factual understanding of the continued use despite not wanting to.

Here is some insight into what happens when someone consumes alcohol for reasons other than simply social, casual use. Have you ever heard someone say, “I shouldn’t drink” while pouring a drink?

When a person drinks more than a reasonable amount, it creates a sense of euphoria – having burnt up the supply of B1 in the system. A feeling of freedom from inhibitions, socially or otherwise. This sense of unrestraint freedom to act as one pleases becomes a solution for future use.

Later, when things get difficult or boring, or a feeling of anxiousness or depression surfaces, the above solution arises. The person drinks once more, and all is well. This continues until the alcohol has partly left the body, at which point the unwanted feeling returns.

It now Becomes a Problem

As a person continues to drink as a solution, their consumption increases to get the effect, a phenomenon called tolerance. Now, they see that they should not continue this way. But the solution presses on them mentally or physically.

Here is where we enter the battle of need to drink vs should not be drinking. There is a mental and physical battle. The solution became more important each time they drank to numb out the problem. It is the answer to life’s daily problems.

A False Solution

Sometimes, just recognizing the source of some situation helps to desensitize it. It also helps in gaining some control over it. Drowning your sorrows, losses, failures, upsets, etc., with beer, liquor, wine, etc., is a false solution. In fact, it is a solution that creates a problem. This problem will not only cause issues with you, but to all your surroundings.

A more workable solution is to seek proper help. Be able to deal with the curves that life throws at any one of us on a daily basis. There are people such as Life Coaches, Grief Counsellors, etc. All of them are there to guide one in avoiding a road to daily drinking. So next time someone brings up, “Let’s have a drink…” ask yourself, “What am I trying to solve with alcohol?”

Reference: Alcohol Consumption