Exploring the Dark Side of Drinking Culture: How It Affects Our Mental Health
Drinking culture has been part of human history for centuries. It is a sociable way to celebrate, unwind and destress, but it can also bring the darker side, which often results in mental health issues. This article examines how drinking culture affects our mental health, why it happens, and what needs to change.
What Is Drinking Culture?
Drinking culture refers to a collective behavior and attitude towards drinking alcohol. It encompasses the way people behave, interact and think about alcohol. Many people view drinking as a rite of passage into adulthood and a way to bond with friends and colleagues. However, drinking culture can have a negative effect on our mental wellbeing.
The Effects of Drinking Culture On Our Mental Health
Alcohol has a significant impact on our emotional and mental state. Alcohol is a depressant, and when consumed in large amounts, it can affect our central nervous system significantly. Moreover, drinking culture also perpetuates a type of social pressure and stigma around not drinking.
When it comes to mental health, drinking culture can lead to:
Anxiety:
Alcohol consumption can cause anxiety issues. The spike in dopamine and serotonin levels when consuming alcohol is a short-term reduction of anxiety, but excessive consumption of this depressant leads to an overall increase in anxiety symptoms.
Depression:
Heavy drinking can lead to depressive symptoms. Individuals who engage in regular heavy drinking are at higher risk of developing depression. Moreover, alcohol consumption can worsen the symptoms of depression.
Psychological Disorders:
Drinking culture can cause severe psychological disorders such as bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
Suicidal Thoughts:
Studies have shown that alcohol consumption and binge drinking significantly increases the chances of having suicidal thoughts, tendencies, or even attempting suicide.
Why Is Drinking Culture Detrimental to Our Mental Health?
Several factors contribute to the adverse effects of drinking culture on our mental health. Firstly, it creates a negative cycle: people feel the need to drink because it is seen as the norm, but the drinking becomes excessive, leading to negative effects on mental health and exacerbating the perceived need to drink further. Secondly, the pressure to conform and drink excessively can lead to anxiety and depression. Finally, drinking culture can have an impact on individuals’ emotional wellbeing as it normalizes excessive drinking, which can lead to addiction issues and other mental health problems.
What Needs to Change?
To combat the dark side of drinking culture, we need to change our attitudes towards drinking. We need to reframe our perception of drinking, and we should start viewing alcohol as a treat rather than a necessity. Individuals should drink in moderation rather than in excess. Furthermore, we need to normalize not drinking in social settings. It is essential to make a concerted effort to create an inclusive and welcoming social environment that does not require drinking to have fun.
The Bottom Line
Drinking culture can harm our mental health, and it is essential to change our attitudes towards drinking. Reducing the normalisation of excessive drink consumption while creating more welcoming environments that do not require drinking are important steps to addressing this issue head-on. As responsible individuals and a community, we must support each other in creating positive atmospheres that do not come at the expense of our mental health.
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