Let’s bust the myths and bubbles of alcoholism and alcohol dependence one by one. You can watch the video or read the article below the video.
1. "Alcoholism* is a sign of weakness."
In fact, research has shown that alcoholics and alcohol addicts are often mentally and physically strong individuals. This has been studied in the UK and the US, and it has been found that smart people drink more than less smart people. This result has been explained by the fact that intelligent people are curious and tend to be the first to try new behaviours. From an evolutionary point of view, alcohol consumption is new.
What about physical stamina? Alcohol puts a strain on the body, and it takes a good physique to cope with it. Able-bodied alcoholics are often physically stronger than average: they can tolerate large amounts of alcohol and still manage to carry out their duties for a very long time.
2. Sobering up is just about stopping drinking alcohol.
Quitting alcohol is one important part of getting sober, but to get sober both mentally and physically – and permanently – the process is much more holistic. It requires not only stopping alcohol use, but also a change in lifestyle, thinking and behaviour, peer support and often professional help. For some, written sobriety stories, blogs and social media are enough, while others need peer groups.
3. "If you can go a minute without drinking, you're not an alcoholic."
Alcoholism cannot be defined solely by how long a person can go without drinking.There are also so-called “lucky” drinkers who can go for long periods without drinking, but then when the cap is popped, they go on a long drinking binge, which may only end when they have entered a state known as delirium tremens and have to be sent to prison (because they are a danger to themselves and/or others), hospital or detoxification.
4. "Alcoholism is only a problem for the drinker."
Alcoholism also has a wide impact on the alcoholic’s family, friends and work community. It can cause economic, social and health problems and trauma to loved ones. In Finland alone, alcohol (not only alcohol consumption by alcoholics, but also by “ordinary” Finnish families and mothers) causes annual production losses of €0.5-1 billion, alcohol-related premature deaths cause annual losses of €900 million, and alcohol-related absenteeism causes annual losses of €282-424 million for employers.
5. "Only alcoholics get withdrawal symptoms."
Every time you have consumed more than a moderate amount of alcohol (12 cl of wine or a bottle of medium beer), your body goes through withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol is a neurotoxin and when it leaves the body, it is felt as withdrawal symptoms. A hangover is a withdrawal symptom – and it’s a withdrawal symptom even when the hangover is mild.
6. "Alcoholism can be cured by willpower"
Alcoholism is often caused by more than just drinking. These other reasons may require, for example, therapy. In addition, leaving alcohol behind is a really big change in a society where most adults drink alcohol and drinking is seen as a positive social habit. Big changes require more than willpower, because willpower takes energy and you can’t sustain change for long on that.
It’s easy to fall back into old habits when you lose your willpower.
7. "Alcoholics drink every day."
See point 3: “If you can go a minute without drinking, you’re not an alcoholic.”
8. "Alcoholism is a self-inflicted problem."
Although alcohol consumption is a choice, the development of addiction is a complex process that is influenced by many factors, such as environment, life circumstances and genes. Although alcoholism can often be a hereditary predisposition, environmental factors always play at least half of the role: the environment can either protect or harm. Environmental attitudes also play a role. In Finland, many people drink more than they want to because of environmental pressure, and may eventually find that regular drinking has triggered an addiction.
9. "Alcoholics are easy to identify."
Alcoholism does not always show on the surface – especially when the alcoholic is still able to function. Many alcoholics are able to maintain a normal life, including work and family relationships. Many also exercise and eat healthily to compensate for their alcohol consumption, and the drinking doesn’t show on the face until alcoholism is well under way.
10. "Severe withdrawal symptoms are always a sign of incipient or developed alcohol dependence."
Although severe withdrawal symptoms can be a sign of alcohol dependence, they are not the only indicator. Many other factors also play a role. See point 5.
11. "Recovery from alcoholism is difficult"
Breaking free from an alcohol problem can also be easy and fun. How is that possible?
Soberist’s Get Rid of Alcohol Easily and Happily is for you who want to get rid of alcohol but don’t feel like an alcoholic and don’t feel like you need physical peer support groups. Coaching is a holistic wellness package where you not only put the cap on, you do it with joy and permanently – and start living the life of your dreams.
Check out the coaching by clicking on the button below.
*We at Soberist do not like to use the word alcoholic, as it is a stigmatising term under which many characteristics are lumped together that apply to only a small proportion of alcohol dependent people. But because we want those who need our services to find us, we have to submit to the laws of search engine optimisation and use the word “alcoholism” searched online in our texts.
