Alcoholism is one of the most difficult addictions to fight. Some people can have a drink once or twice a week without any further cravings; however, many people become dependent on alcohol and find it very hard to stop the behavior. With this addiction come myths about alcohol that are just as abundant as the substance itself. For those interested in going deeper into relevant information about alcohol’s affects on the body both mentally and physically, alcohol awareness classes are highly recommended.
Here are some widely touted rumors that are interesting to briefly discuss:
1. Taking an aspirin before drinking prevents hangover.
The hangover after a night of drinking can be horrendous. In a bid to prevent hangovers, many people believe that taking an aspirin prior to or while drinking alcohol can help put that feeling at bay. On the contrary, scientific research has established that aspirin actually increases the alcohol content that ends up in your system. In return, this makes you get drunk quicker and for longer.
2. Coffee will help you sober up.
This is a remedy that we’ve all seen in the movies. Yes, it has been proven that caffeine makes people more alert, but this alertness does not instantly sober you up. While studies show that caffeine improves reaction time in addition to increasing alertness, it does not completely counteract the effects of alcohol impairment. Depending on how much you weigh, it takes about 3 hours to eliminate the alcohol content of 2 drinks. Coffee or even cold showers do not speed this process up!
3. It takes more beer than other alcoholic beverages to get a person drunk.
This is untrue. A 12 ounce bottle of beer has the same alcohol content as a standard shot of 80 proof liquor or a 5 ounce glass of wine.
4. The best remedy for a hangover is getting up the next day and drinking a Bloody Mary or another alcoholic beverage.
This is arguably the best-known myth that is doing the rounds. Even though it is true that having a drink first thing in the morning delays the symptoms of a hangover, the truth is that this is only a short-term remedy. This is because once your alcohol content is back to normal, the symptoms may return possibly worse due to additional alcohol content.
5. Alcohol is a stimulant.
Alcohol is actually a depressant. It sedates the central nervous system and affects judgment, self-control and inhibitions. Because these behaviors are depressed, it might result in what appears to be excited behavior because you have less decorum.
Does any of this surprise you? Much of what we think we know about alcohol and drugs are inaccuracies that we hear from other people. There are many misconceptions that lead both adolescents and adults down this tenuous path. To learn the truths about the risks and repercussions of alcohol and drug abuse, it is important that we educate ourselves with accurate information. An interesting, convenient and factual way of doing this is to take an 8-hour alcohol and drug awareness class. The beauty of online classes is that they are completely private and secure. You will gain knowledge and skills to address use and abuse.