For ways to seek support, you can visit Psych Central’s guide to mental health help. Critics of moderation management note that this form of treatment may encourage denial in people with alcohol use disorder, which may delay seeking more effective treatment. However, there’s limited research showing the efficacy of this form of treatment.
Public Health
Unfortunately, many people with drug or alcohol addiction are in denial that they have a problem in the first place. It usually takes the concern and efforts of family and friends to encourage people to go to rehab. Some people believe that if those suffering from addiction simply had better willpower myths about alcoholism they could quit drinking. Addiction is a disease and this myth is the same as saying someone with an illness should just get better by not wanting to be sick. A stereotypical image of someone with alcoholism is a person how has lost everything, living on the street with no family or friends.
Myth: One glass of alcohol a day, especially if it’s red wine, is good for you.
- In truth, alcohol is a drug that should be consumed in moderation, if at all.
- All condition, treatment and wellness content is medically reviewed by at least one medical professional ensuring the most accurate information possible.
- In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month (April), we’re debunking some of the common misconceptions about alcohol, with the goal of empowering you to drink responsibly if you choose to imbibe.
Many rehab centers are ready to help you get started on your journey towards sobriety. Myths surrounding Alcoholism can be harmful to those in recovery as the perception of addiction is not seen as a disease, but rather a choice made by those who are struggling. Unfortunately, most of what the public knows about alcoholism is surrounded by misinformation and myths about what is and how it affects the person struggling and those close to them. We gathered the top 10 myths surrounding alcohol addiction and have debunked them with the truth, but first, we provided a brief overview of what alcoholism is.
“Everything Will Be Perfect Once You Stop Drinking”
- Even if a person’s problem begins with wine or beer, there’s a high chance they may end up on the wrong path.
- This slows muscle growth and repair and interferes with the metabolism of carbs for energy.
- A different sickness could easily keep a person home from work.
That, in turn, can lead to negative consequences such as getting too drunk or having a terrible hangover the next day. We couldn’t find any formal studies on the subject, but shows like Mythbusters and Manswers have tackled the topic before. Both found that these strategies don’t work, and you can’t trick a breathalyzer. Furthermore, police officers search inside your mouth to make sure you’re not holding something there that will mess with the test. Plus, if an officer still suspects you’re drunk but the breathalyzer isn’t working, they can take you into the police station to test your BAC with a blood sample. So, you pee more often than normal when you drink alcohol, but it has nothing to do with breaking the seal.
Myth 8: Alcohol only hurts your liver
While in treatment alcoholics have the opportunity to develop healthy coping mechanisms and network with others seeking sobriety. But treatment programs aren’t a one-stop-shop to fix alcoholism. Alcoholism is a chronic disease and maintaining sobriety will be a lifelong journey.
- But it does mean that you shouldn’t assume it’s benefiting your health, or that it’s guaranteed to be safe.
- Environmental factors like stress or trauma also play a significant role.
- In fact, research shows that individuals who engage in comprehensive and personalized recovery programs have higher success rates in achieving long-term sobriety.
- Alcoholism is a serious condition and can end up causing major problems throughout a person’s life.
While many studies have suggested that a moderate amount of alcohol has health benefits, much of that research has been called into question. In fact, a massive study on the global burden of disease, covering 195 countries over more than 25 years, recently determined that there is no safe amount of alcohol. To begin with, some people should never drink any alcohol whatsoever. If you’re pregnant, taking certain medications, recovering from a stroke, dealing with heart disease, or have any kind of liver damage, you should avoid alcohol completely.
Myth: Only people who drink everyday have a problem with alcohol.
The U.S. National Park Service recorded nearly 200 fatal incidents in 2023 at national parks, drawing on information from its mortality dataset released this April. Of that, several causes of death were from drowning, falls, or other medical fatalities. Intermittent fasting research is still limited and hasn’t been conducted in large populations over a long term.
