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In the United States, nearly 70 percent of people reported drinking alcohol in the past year, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has reported. This widespread use isn’t a new phenomenon — alcohol has played a significant role in society since ancient civilizations. For 10,000 years, this substance has served a variety of social, ceremonial and medicinal purposes.
The reasons why people drink today are varied and complex, with individuals using alcohol for everything from social bonding and stress relief to coping with emotions or alleviating boredom. For those who want to gain control over their drinking habits, understanding these social, biological, cultural and psychological motivations is the first step.
In this article, we explore the many reasons people drink and the factors that may influence when, how often and why people use alcohol. We also provide tips on what an individual can do if they don’t feel in control of their alcohol consumption.
Social and Cultural Influences on Alcohol Use
Just as it did thousands of years ago, alcohol use is affected by a wide variety of social and cultural influences. From weddings and parties to movies and social media, drinking is woven into our social interactions.
The Social Influences on Alcohol Use
For most people, the first exposure to alcohol was in a social setting. This initial introduction often occurs during the teenage years, a pivotal time for social development and experimentation. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about one in five people aged 14-15 reported having at least one drink in their lifetime. Starting in adolescence, alcohol is often a mainstay in a wide variety of social events, from parties and sporting events to more casual gatherings.
While we tend to associate peer pressure with the teen years, many adults feel the weight of societal expectations when it comes to drinking. According to one study out of the United Kingdom, about 30 percent of adults felt pressure to consume alcohol while socializing, and a similar number felt they had to make excuses to avoid drinking. Over 40 percent admitted to canceling social plans for fear they would be pressured to drink.
Clearly, societal pressure plays a significant role in why people drink. Drinking together creates a sense of camaraderie and shared experience, helping people feel connected and relaxed when they’re in a social situation that may otherwise cause some anxiety. Friends and family can also be a significant driving influence, particularly if they feel self-conscious about drinking alone and therefore pressure others to join in.
The Cultural Influence on Alcohol Use
The normalization of drinking alcohol doesn’t just come from friends and family – the media also plays a significant role. According to one survey, nearly 90 percent of movies portray alcohol, including a wide range of films across different ratings and genres, and nearly as many television shows reference alcohol in one way or another. Similarly, social media influencers often portray alcohol in a positive light on their platforms as a vehicle for having fun with friends.
These influences can all drive an individual’s perception and behavior around alcohol. The combination of normalizing alcohol use, and even overindulgence, with direct pressure from friends and family, can result in someone drinking more (or more often) than they prefer.
The Appeal of Relaxation and Stress Relief
According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 80 percent of workers in the United States report feeling work-related stress. Additionally, about 66 percent of adults feel stressed about money and 75 percent feel stressed about violence and crime. More than three in 10 adults feel overwhelmed by stress most days.
Stress is unavoidable, making it important to find healthy coping strategies and tools for navigating everyday life. Unfortunately, using alcohol as a coping mechanism can result in unhealthy drinking habits.
Alcohol as a Coping Tool
Drinking alcohol can provide short-term stress relief because it temporarily boosts serotonin levels and releases endorphins. These chemicals cause feelings of pleasure and relaxation, causing a sense of calm and euphoria and alleviating feelings of stress.
Unfortunately, alcohol offers a very limited window of relief from stress and uncomfortable feelings. Using it to cope can lead to long-term problems and increase an individual’s risk of developing alcohol dependence. Over time, it can worsen stress and anxiety, potentially leading to a cycle of dependence and negative physical, mental and social outcomes.
The Physiological Effects of Alcohol on the Body
Alcohol brings about a series of physiological effects, making it a popular option for stress relief. The boost in endorphins and serotonin it provides can produce feelings of euphoria and well-being while reducing an individual’s feelings of anxiety. It also causes the individual’s blood vessels to dilate, causing them to feel warm and relaxed, and it acts as a sedative that causes the user to feel drowsy and fall asleep quickly.
While alcohol negatively affects an individual’s stress levels long-term, contributing to issues such as depression, sleep apnea and permanent brain damage, its short-term effects make it the drink of choice for many after a stressful day.
Chasing Confidence and Escapism through Alcohol
The psychological effects of drinking on an individual’s self-esteem and confidence can be profound, helping them become more comfortable in situations where they may otherwise feel anxious or uncomfortable. For many who experience social anxiety or a lack of confidence, the effects of alcohol can significantly motivate their consumption habits.
Alcohol and Self-Confidence
In unfamiliar or uncomfortable social situations, alcohol can provide a confidence boost by dulling feelings of awkwardness or self-consciousness. It reduces inhibitions, helping individuals feel more outgoing and at ease. Additionally, its endorphin-boosting properties can enhance feelings of happiness and alleviate feelings of anxiousness.
Escapism and Emotional Relief
Similarly, alcohol can provide a sense of escape from emotional pain and trauma. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 75 percent of trauma survivors develop alcohol dependence. Women who’ve experienced trauma are two-and-a-half times more likely to abuse alcohol than women who don’t have trauma in their history, while men are twice as likely to develop alcohol dependence after experiencing trauma.
Alcohol’s properties that contribute to stress relief and relaxation also make it a common coping tool for dealing with emotional pain. It provides a temporary escape from reality, allowing individuals to avoid their problems and negative emotions. Unfortunately, using alcohol in this way often leads to abuse and dependency, ultimately worsening emotional struggles.
Short- and Long-Term Effects on the Mind and Body
For many people, drinking simply to get drunk is the driving reason for alcohol use. This may occur inside or outside of a social setting, and it may have nothing to do with relieving feelings of anxiety or emotional distress. To accomplish this, the individual must drink alcohol faster than their body can metabolize it.
As alcohol enters in to the bloodstream, it makes its way to the brain. There, it affects neurotransmitters and alters brain function, causing feelings of drunkenness. This state is characterized by lowered inhibitions, altered motor skills and impaired judgment, as well as feelings of happiness and relaxation. To maintain the feeling of drunkenness, the individual may continue to drink more alcohol, which generally leads to more pronounced effects.
Unfortunately, regularly drinking alcohol to get drunk can lead to serious health problems, such as liver disease and heart failure. It also increases the individual’s risk of developing mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorder.
Regardless of what motivates a person’s alcohol consumption, it’s important to recognize when their use has gone beyond what they can control. Over time, individuals may begin to experience symptoms of alcohol use disorder, including neglecting responsibilities and social interactions to drink, using alcohol to gain courage, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop drinking.
If you or a loved one misuse alcohol, getting professional help is the first step toward recovery. At FHE, we have a comprehensive addiction treatment program with residential and outpatient options, offering a tailored approach that fits our clients’ lifestyles. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you move toward recovery.
