Drinking in social settings might not seem like such a bad thing, and for some people it isn’t. However, when done on a constant basis or includes being in the wrong place at the wrong time, it is easy for a seemingly innocent situation and harmless fun to get out of control. Not to mention, drinking socially can sometimes start off as the occasional activity and then slowly turn into an every night thing, which then can spiral into an addiction, or a substance use disorder (SUD). Alcohol falls within the variety of substances known as depressants and when consumed by someone who already suffers from depression, it generally makes their symptomologies much worse. They may feel lower emotionally, remember things that are highly upsetting, lash out at others because of past occurrences, and be unreasonable to anything that might contradict how they’re feeling. These instances can cause a lot of strain on the person themselves and those around them, however, this is only one part of why consuming alcohol socially is not always the best idea.
Driving Under the Influence
One of the biggest concerns about going anywhere and drinking is facing the possibility of driving under the influence, and while this discussion specifies alcohol as the substance of focus, driving under the influence means any type of substance within the body during the time behind the wheel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided a report that stated that in 2016, over one million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence. What’s scarier? Over 100 million more drivers admitted to driving under the influence, they just weren’t caught. Unfortunately, over 10,000 people died in car accidents involving a drunk driver the same year as well. For those who have been drinking for a long time, you might assume that “you drive better when you’re drunk,” however, that does not excuse getting behind the wheel after having consumed alcohol or any other substance for that matter. You are not only putting your own life at risk, but you are endangering the lives of anyone else on the road with you at that time. If you plan to go out and know that drinking will be involved, don’t drive yourself. Choose a designated driver and carpool of choose to take an Uber or Lyft to and from your destination.
Inebriation in Unknown Places
Drinking socially can also come to include frequenting places that you’ve never been to before. Venturing out and exploring new places is not a bad thing, however, when alcohol is involved, it can make things scarier to navigate if you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings. New places mean a lot of new people, and sometimes, people unfortunately don’t always have the best of intentions. Should you be in an uncomfortable situation, you know how to find your way around the establishment and the area, and you also probably know a few people who would step in to help you if you needed it. This is not the case in unchartered territory, unless you bring a trusted friend with you. It is important that you have a plan before going out to different parts of town or with people that you don’t know that well. Bring someone with you if you can, have an escape plan should you need to leave early, and pay attention to everything going on around you so that you don’t miss anything. Also, keep in mind that there are many products currently available to help in situations like this such as Undercover Colors’ “SipChip Drink Spiking Test” or their nail polish line in which you place your finger into the cup and your nail polish changes colors if there are substances in the drink. Ingesting alcohol can be bad enough at times but adding in other substances will just make things much worse, plus put you in a bad situation, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
House Party Hibernation
It is not uncommon to attend parties at someone’s home. While many people may think that this is a better option for a place to gather and drink socially, it can actually end up being worse than going out. Some house parties end up including a wide variety of people, some of whom are underage, which can put you at greater risk of being in trouble should law enforcement show up. Furthermore, falling asleep at someone else’s house puts you at risk for issues such as someone stealing your things or worse, someone trying to harm you either physically or sexually. Going to a house party might seem much more low-key than dressing up and going out, but it is important that you take the necessary precautions to be safe. If you do find yourself in this kind of environment, make sure to keep substance consumption at a low because you want to be able to remember the evening and ensure that you get home safely.
If you are currently suffering from a SUD, there is a chance that you may feel as though you have lost your way. You may not understand why you are where you are or how to find a way out. We want to help you get back on track. Make a personal investment in yourself and get help today. Having a team and really community of support to help get you through can offer piece of mind and a sense of security. At Enlight Treatment Center, we emphasize care and comfort and we want to be that team for you to help you overcome issues and get back to your best self. Whether you have questions or want to visit our facility and talk with us in person, we are always here for you. You can call us at (805)719-7954 or schedule a tour of our facility at 11811 Darlene Lane, Moorpark, CA 93021.
