Roughly 15 million Americans suffer from a chronic alcohol use disorder. This includes both underage and persistent alcohol drinkers. With alcohol being so prevalent worldwide, this number tends to normalize, giving people the idea that drinking is okay and doesn’t cause many problems.
The truth is alcohol is highly addictive and can cause severe life-changing consequences. Why do people abuse alcohol, though? Well, there’s often a reason, usually due to a mental or emotional issue.
Read below for several reasons why people abuse alcohol more than others, and give you alcohol abuse tips on how to get help.
Why Do People Abuse Alcohol?
Alcoholism can lead to serious health concerns, broken relationships, legal trouble, and an overall disruption of an individual’s life. With the increasing availability of alcohol, it is more important to be mindful of why people turn to alcohol and how they can abuse it.
Coping With Stress
Alcohol is often used as a coping mechanism to deal with stress. Drunk people often cite their need to “unwind” or “de-stress” as their reason for reaching for a drink. Unfortunately, this short-term relief from stress can quickly lead to long-term problems.
Stress can be difficult to cope with, but there are better ways to manage it than alcohol abuse. People should take advantage of all the available resources, such as counseling, exercise, support groups, or a Native American substance abuse treatment that can help them cope with stress without resorting to substance abuse.
Escape From Problems
People drink to forget their worries and push away thoughts that would otherwise make them anxious or depressed. Unfortunately, these effects of too much alcohol are only short-term and usually only last until the person sobers up. People need to know what will happen if they keep doing this and look for other ways to solve their problems.
For Self-Medication
People drink too much to help themselves feel better or to hide deeper emotional problems. Some people find that drinking is an easy way to forget about real life, push away bad feelings, and deal with stress.
Unfortunately, alcohol doesn’t fix emotional problems; it just makes them feel better. This self-medication can lead to more problems, like physical and mental dependence. This makes it harder for people to figure out what’s causing their emotional issues and fix them.
Social Pressure
People often drink too much because of peer pressure. They might feel like they have to start drinking to fit in with their friends or keep up with how their friends drink. This can make them drink more than they should or even start drinking when they wouldn’t usually.
This can lead to severe problems in the future. People should be aware of the risks of drinking too much and always drink in moderation, not just to fit in with their friends.
Get Help to Stop Alcohol Abuse!
Alcohol abuse is a severe problem that has wide-reaching consequences. It can ruin relationships, cause family hardship, and lead to long-term health issues.
So why do people abuse alcohol? People abuse alcohol due to risk-seeking behaviors, stress, poor coping skills, and other psychiatric issues.
To support individuals and families affected by this issue, it is essential to be aware of the signs of alcohol abuse and to seek help from those in need. Take action today and learn how to navigate alcohol use more healthily.
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