Is Drinking A Few After Work An Addiction
Social drinking can be fun and harmless when done in moderation. Even the occasional drink to unwind after work won’t hurt. A glass of wine with dinner may have some health benefits when no other health issues or history of addiction are present. So how does one go from just a few drinks here and there to an addiction?
The truth is that everyone’s makeup is different. What Sally can get away with, maybe Suzy or George can’t. Some people develop a swift and intense addiction to the slightest stimulant, drug or alcohol. Some develop tolerance over time, where they are able to handle more of an alcohol or drug without getting drunk or addicted as quickly. It’s also important to consider the process of habits and addictions. How do habits form? Usually slowly, silently and harmlessly – at first.
Habits have a way of creeping up on you, so it’s wise to be as cautious as possible when dealing with potentially addictive substances like alcohol. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself passed out in some strange place and unsure how you got there. Of course, if drinking is done in moderation and there isn’t a tendency to be excessive – only one or two small glasses of red wine at dinnertime, for example – such an extreme outcome is not likely.
According to a report by the Yale-New Haven Hospital, particularly red wines promote good heart health, as a result of the many antioxidant flavonoids contained in the skin and seeds of the grapes used to make red wine. Antioxidants work to strengthen the immune system and break down free radicals, those little renegade cells which can later become cancerous. In this case, the antioxidants in red wine also increase good cholesterol, decrease bad cholesterol, and help to prevent plaque buildup in the blood that can cause clogging of the arteries.
Again, let me stress that drinking alcoholic beverages like red wine are usually only safe to drink when you’re not pregnant, don’t have a tendency towards addiction and you’re already in good health. Otherwise, some of your symptoms and illness could be exacerbated. A great alternative to wine is to drink pure grape juice. It has some of the same antioxidants found in red wine without the alcohol and tastes just as good.
The key here is that everything in life needs balance, and too much of even a good thing can be a bad thing. If you know you have a propensity to form addictions easily or to drink too much, you should stay away from substances like alcohol, which can be very addictive and even deadly when taken for granted. One should never assume that they are so in control of themselves that they can handle “just one more drink.” The mind and body of an intoxicated person can easily fool him or her.
Hard liquor with high alcohol content is really something to watch out for, because a person may get intoxicated, lose control and get addicted faster. Alcoholic beverages in general are to be consumed with great caution, and it helps to have a responsible person nearby who isn’t drinking. It’s also wise not to drink when depressed, sad, sick or angry – any negative state of mind that might influence the amount of alcohol you consume. Vigilance is key, but don’t be afraid to imbibe every once in a while if you are someone with self-control. If you have a history or problem with temptation, then it is best not only to avoid this practice, but to consider turning down invitations for dinners where you may fall into a negative habit.