Local Recovery Center Explores Social Alcoholics

Tampa, FL – Clean Recovery Centers released a blog exploring what a social alcoholic is. With locations throughout the Suncoast, they have been providing quality addiction treatment for years. They have helped hundreds to get clean, live clean, and stay clean.

“Social drinking typically refers to having drinks during events, such as family gatherings, business meetings, and parties. Alcohol is seen as a social substance, bringing people together over one common factor. However, social drinking can turn into social alcoholism. The person may only drink when they are out with family and friends, but the drinking can turn excessive. They will often try to coerce friends into binge drinking with them, as their drinking increases during social events. The person may even experience blackouts during events, and they may show signs of alcoholic behavior,” the article reads.

Signs that social drinking has become a problem can include drinking more than intended during an event or gathering, blacking out, feeling guilty after drinking when out with friends, and hiding how much you are drinking during the social function – ordering doubles when getting a round for friends, sneaking extra alcohol when no one is looking, etc. Social drinking is typically a responsible form of drinking as most will have one or two drinks and find a responsible way home. When drinking progresses to an alcohol use disorder– even when done socially – the person is more likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Even though social alcoholism means drinking a few nights or even just one night per week, the amount of alcohol being ingested can still affect physical health. Binge drinking can lead to falls and injuries due to the effects it has on the brain. When inhibitions are lowered, reading situations becomes difficult, leading to outbursts that can turn violent – even when the situation doesn’t warrant it.

“Social alcoholism can seem to help relationships at first. You may become more boisterous and have an easy time making your friends laugh. But as drinking continues, you may come off as obnoxious or over the top. Alcohol can enhance personality traits, and can bring forward parts of your personality you aren’t familiar with. If you are already a risk taker, drinking heavily can bring that trait out. All of a sudden it seems like a good idea to jump up on the table and start dancing. This type of behavior is not socially acceptable, and is especially embarrassing for your friends. The relationships will begin to dissipate, as no one wants to be around you when you are drinking,” the article continues.

It can be difficult to be around a friend or family member who is living with social alcoholism. The best way to help them is to set consequences for their actions. If they come to a family event and drink too much, inform them when they are not drinking that they will no longer be invited to gatherings. Friends can extend the same consequence by not extending invites to the person when the group is going out for drinks. If alcoholism is still having negative impacts on them, suggest they look into a treatment program.

Clean Recovery Centers has a full spectrum program for alcohol use disorder utilizing a unique, three-phase approach. The program focuses on therapy, wellness, and skill-building so their clients are equipped with all the tools they need once treatment is complete. Their alumni program is very active and keeps clients engaged in their recovery.

To learn more about Clean Recovery Centers, call (888) 330-2532 or visit their website.