Choose moderation or abstinence, get access to medication and coaching, and do the whole thing from the comfort of home. Ultimately, despite the many alcohol myths out there, there really is no “safe” level of drinking. Getting drunk is inherently dangerous, all types of alcohol get you equally intoxicated, caffeine can’t sober you up, myths about alcoholism and higher tolerance may indicate alcohol dependence. Heavy drinking can put you at risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease, sleep problems, and some types of cancer. Many people may believe the myth that loading up on bread, heavy foods, or even drinking coffee will lower your blood alcohol level.

Myth: Drinking heavily just on the weekend is fine.

So while cold showers, hot coffee, and fresh air might feel a little refreshing to someone who has been drinking all night, none will make you sober. People who binge drink may only occasionally drink in excess. And while they may not necessarily have alcohol use disorder, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ regular binge drinking could lead to developing alcohol use disorder. For the same reasons why you shouldn’t mix alcohol with caffeine, this energy-drink combo can also cause masked intoxication — which can lead to consumption of more alcohol than your body can handle.

Myth #4: Controlled drinking is possible

• However, while reduced inhibitions might make you more talkative and outgoing, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re socializing in the healthiest way.
• Heavy drinking is defined by how much alcohol you have in a day or in a week.
• It’s also well known that drinking and getting behind the wheel has deadly consequences.

Critical decision-making abilities and driving-related skills are already diminished long before a person shows physical signs of intoxication. Aside from physical altercations, a single heavy night of drinking can strain or even injure your internal organs—including your stomach, liver, and kidneys. Even occasional binge drinking can increase your chances of long-term illnesses from alcohol, and can also raise your likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder further down the line.

Alcohol Myth #6:  Drinking the “Hair of the Dog” Stops a Hangover

• While it may seem like those who can knock back several drinks without stumbling are in control, it’s not necessarily a sign of lower alcoholism risk.
• This myth can especially be harmful if it causes you to drink more than you can handle — so always pay attention to the alcohol content in your drinks and be honest with what your body can manage.
• There’s no safe level of consuming alcohol—and the health benefits are vastly out-stated.
• And while they may not necessarily have alcohol use disorder, regular binge drinking could lead to developing alcohol use disorder.
• Coffee might make you feel more awake, but it won’t speed up the elimination of alcohol from your system.

A higher tolerance for alcohol does not mean the body is impervious to the effect of alcohol; it means that drinkers should be more cautious. You could look at drinking alcohol like skydiving, Dr. Oesterle says. There is no recommended number of times that someone should jump out of a plane. It’s fun for some people, but there is no medical reason to do it or health benefit from it. A common myth around teens and young adults is that it’s more responsible to give minors alcoholic drinks with adult supervision. This myth is based on the idea that kids will drink anyway, so they might as well be in the presence of a responsible adult.

• Also, not many people realize that it can be extremely dangerous to take acetaminophen while having even just a few drinks, according to American Addictions Centers.
• This supportive, educational setting is grounded in the spiritual principles of AA.
• People who binge drink may only occasionally drink in excess.
• Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.
• Wait until your headache hits the next day, and then take an Advil, preferably with a big gulp of Pedialyte.
• Research from 2017 also suggests that kids who were allowed to drink alcohol with adults were more likely to engage in risky drinking in their teens.

All tea (except for ones made of fruit, flowers, herbs or roots, which are technically “infusions”) are first brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia Sinesis bush. White tea is made from unoxidized buds, whereas oolong tea stems from particularly oxidized leaves and black tea is made when completely oxidized leaves are steeped in hot water. Green tea, on the other hand, is made with unoxidized tea leaves — all of these varieties contain antioxidants, chiefly flavonoids, a group of plant-based chemicals that have been shown to reduce coronary inflammation. How you choose to brew your tea — and the kind of tea you’ve chosen to brew — can play a role in its final antioxidant counts. Green tea, however, has been shown to naturally contain the highest amount of flavonoids of the four varieties. If you’re concerned about your alcohol use, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional.

How To Get Better Sleep

This includes your heart, blood pressure, kidneys and mental health. While it may feel like coffee is bringing you back to life in many ways, you shouldn’t depend on it to get alcohol out of your system. In truth, coffee has no real effect on your blood alcohol level, which is the major factor in determining your level of intoxication.

Myth #9: Drinking is not a real addiction like drug abuse

For ways to seek support, you can visit Psych Central’s guide to mental health help. A 2019 study of alcohol use in England found that people in professional managerial jobs had more occasions to drink than manual workers, casual workers, and unemployed people. Homeownership was also a strong predictor of alcohol consumption, according to the study. And if you’re taking medication for your pain, there could be drug interaction risks.

• Alcohol tolerance is when drinking the same amount no longer produces the same level of buzz.
• Journey to the local pizza shop with a hankering for greasy, cheesy goodness.
• Flavonoids are cardioprotective, but you’d have to drink a lot of wine to benefit.

Dark beers look like they’re thicker, fuller in taste, and higher in carbs and calories. Many also assume blacker brews, like porters and ales, are higher in alcohol. Alcoholism is not a reflection of someone’s character or moral worth.