The average age when youth first try alcohol is between 15 and 18, a critical time in brain development when coping mechanisms and social behaviors are being learned. The introduction of alcohol as a part of life at an early age can rewire the brain to seek out potential sources of pleasure from alcohol or substances. If can also teach teens that when difficult situations arise, a good way to cope is by drinking alcohol. These effects, in turn, develop into natural responses and desires that last into adulthood. Alcoholism is a serious disease that affects countless individuals across the country. It is a disease that takes a heavy toll on a person’s health, relationships, career, and all other aspects of life.

This can be the cause of impaired judgment and slurred speech when a person is under the influence. These types of myths place blame on the person as if they have control. While there are other more serious cases of addiction, these don’t make alcoholism any less problematic and dangerous. Plus, people may use this logic to combine alcohol and other drugs . Alcoholism is more than having a few drinks in a single sitting; it is excessively drinking frequently. This alcoholism dependence can end up creating several issues in a person’s life.

Myth 4 (for women)

However, numerous studies have shown that these inmates return to their addictive behaviors after they are released only to end up in jail again. Punishment for the “moral failure” of alcoholism has not solved the problem of recidivism nor does it explain why one person develops alcoholism and another one doesn’t.

This is one of the most common ways that people suffering from alcohol abuse or alcoholism end up relapsing. Alcoholism is a disease, meaning it has a negative reaction with the body which can result in the body thinking that it needs alcohol constantly to function properly. Many people who suffer from alcoholism don’t even realize it right away. In many cases, they just think they are building up a higher tolerance which in some circles can be viewed as a good thing because it means they can enjoy more drinks without getting drunk. It is a common misconception that an alcoholic is not capable of maintaining things like a career or training and education programs.

Myth: It’s OK to drink and drive after only a few drinks

There’s a common misconception out there that alcoholism isn’t as big of a deal as other dependencies and addictions, such as heroin or prescription pills. This is not only completely false but can also be an incredibly dangerous ideology to have. When people think of alcoholism and someone who is an alcoholic, they might envision someone who on the surface struggles https://ecosoberhouse.com/ with life. They might see a homeless person or someone who is dealing with financial problems or even someone who can’t hold down a job and whose life is in peril. When the effects of alcohol wear off, you have symptoms of withdrawal. You may think that drinking problems have to start early in life. In fact, some people develop problems with drinking at a later age.

Teens who drink alcohol — especially those who binge drink — are significantlymore likelyto try to injure or kill themselves. This includes cutting, attempting to hang themselves or attempting to poison themselves. Teenagers who drink alcohol are also more likely toconsider suicidethan those who do not myths about alcoholism drink. Research has shown that states with strictly enforced laws againstteenage drunk drivingshow a decrease in teenage suicides, compared to states without these laws. By calling the lowest point “rock bottom”, alcohol addicts might assume that their life can’t get any worse and continue drinking.