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“I’m a social drinker.”
Have you heard someone say that before? Maybe you’ve said it yourself when someone asked about your alcohol habits. Yes, it can be true for many people but does this term ever develop into something more? Can someone who only drinks socially have an alcohol use disorder?
The term social alcoholic is both misleading and misunderstood. Our team at Serenity Lane wants to help spread more awareness and education about terms like this so people can make informed decisions about their health. Alcohol use and alcohol use disorders are a real threat, one that we can’t tackle without all the facts.
For every 2,000 people in the state, at least one of them will die because of alcohol use each year. Every death is one too many. To help prevent this, we’re helping answer important questions about alcohol use and alcohol use disorders. Today we’re talking about social alcoholics, what they are, and how to recognize if you are one.
Alcohol use comes in many forms, the experience isn’t the same from person to person. The problem is that many people don’t realize that. They see alcohol use disorders, sometimes referred to as alcoholism, as a one-dimensional condition. This leads to them not recognizing the signs in themselves or a loved one who doesn’t fit the “stereotypical bill” of someone with an alcohol use disorder.
Social alcoholics fall into the same boat as “high-functioning alcoholics” – they’re people who don’t showcase their alcohol use disorder in ways people expect them to. It’s not its own condition, but rather a public perception of their drinking and overall behavior.
If someone is referred to as a “social alcoholic,” this means that they only have noticeable symptoms of an alcohol use disorder when they’re at gatherings with alcohol involved.
This doesn’t mean that they aren’t showing symptoms of an alcohol use disorder outside of these circumstances, but rather that these symptoms are going unnoticed.
This leads people to the false assumption that the person is fine and just likes to “let loose” around others. If they’re not behaving in certain ways when at home, then surely it must mean that they’re fine, right?
This is a complex situation, so let’s break it down further.
We mentioned earlier that alcohol use disorders come in many forms, but that doesn’t relate to the actual diagnosis. There is only one condition – alcohol use disorder. This condition, however, manifests uniquely for every individual. It can range in severity, impact, financial strain, and more. That doesn’t make it any less of a health concern but rather changes what outward symptoms each person may display.
This can make it that much more difficult for some loved ones to accept that someone close to them has an alcohol use disorder.
Terms like “social alcoholic” or “high-functioning alcoholism” can both be traced back to stigma and even alcoholism denial. They’re still forms of an alcohol use disorder, just ones that people don’t recognize or accept as easily.
Humans are well-documented in being able to be influenced by their peers. Peer pressure related to drinking isn’t a new concept, and can heavily influence so-called “social alcoholics” to behave the way they do. If the rest of their friend group is being wild and crazy, they’ll be more inclined to do so. Not only do we act this way to fit in, but we also do this because we feel safe around our friends and will be more likely to relax and enjoy ourselves.
This means that not all cases of someone being called a “social alcoholic” may hold true. This is especially true because of how misunderstood the term “social alcoholic” is. Not everyone who drinks socially and engages in specific behaviors may have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The best way to determine that is by better knowing the signs and symptoms associated with an AUD.
Many of the most noticeable signs related to alcohol use disorders may appear a lot like someone who’s “just drunk.” Engaging in reckless behaviors or having mood swings are good examples, so how can you tell when these signs mean something more?
The line comes from more advanced things, so ask yourself these questions:
If you said yes to more than one of these questions, it might be time to take a closer look at your relationship with alcohol.
While in the past, low levels of alcohol consumption or even specific kinds of alcohol have been deemed as “safe,” time has revealed that this is not the case. Even if someone is only drinking socially, the frequency of their drinking, as well as how much they consume in one sitting, can still lead to lasting consequences.
When referring to short-term versus long-term effects of alcohol, the difference comes from when these effects are most likely to occur. Short-term effects relate to things that happen while someone is drinking, whereas long-term effects occur because of the damage done to the body over time. This doesn’t make either type any less dangerous than the other but only influences how long these effects last.
The list below outlines the most dangerous short and long-term effects that can occur because of alcohol use.
Going from thinking you don’t have an alcohol use disorder, to realizing how deeply your alcohol use is impacting you, can be quite the emotional journey. Having an AUD isn’t a life sentence, however, and it doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person or that you did something to “deserve” this. AUD affects people of all ages, socioeconomic classes, backgrounds, and more. The key is recognizing when you want to make a change and seeking out alcoholism treatment.
A good treatment program won’t judge you for your circumstances. They’ll provide long-term support from alcohol detox to inpatient, outpatient, and even alumni services. They’ll work with you to craft a long-term recovery plan that suits your needs and ensures you meet your goals.
You’re not alone in this, so why start your healing alone? Our team at Serenity Lane is here to help you find the healing you crave. No matter your history with alcohol use, we can provide you with the support you need through our full continuum of care. There’s no wrong time to get started, so give us a call today at 800-543-9905.
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