AboutJan Edward Williams Expertise all questions related to drug or alcohol addiction, except those requiring the expertise of a physician or those relating to mental health problems apart from addiction. See my web site: http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com
Experience I have been working as a licensed addictions counselor for 29 years and am in recovery myself for 31 years
Organizations Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors Maryland
Maryland Addictions Professional Certification Board
Education/Credentials MS Counseling
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Maryland
Question Hi, I'm very new to alcohol and I was wondering if you could help me understand the subject better. Last
night was the first night that I have really drank alcohol. I am a 19 year old male and I'm about 175
pounds. I have resisted until now. I just went through a rough break up and it was the first time I went
out in 3 months. So my friends eventually got me to drink. And I had 4 cups of beer by the end of the
night. I have social anxiety so it is hard for me to talk to people. But when I drank I met more people
than I probably had in the last 2 months. I even danced with a girl and got her number too, something I
have never done before. My question is, do you think I am at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol if I
drink to meet people? I don't think anyone in my family has been an alcoholic. I was wondering how
much is "ok" to drink. Last night I stumbled somewhat but I could also control it if the need arose. This
morning I still feel very slightly dizzy and my head hurts a little bit. Are 4 cups of beer not too much?
What about 5? What about drinking that much on two nights n a row? What is moderate drinking and
what is binge drinking? I was also wondering if alcohol would have any mental effects on me since I'm
19. I know that it's more than one question but I want to get this right and if I do decide to keep drinking
I want to be relatively healthy about it.
Thank you
Answer Hello Michael,
It's great that you are asking for information about drinking. I wish more young people would do so before getting into the drinking scene. Leaving aside the issue of undersge drinking and legal risks, I'll just focus on addiction type issues. Right now you seem to be in the normal range of behavior of a new drinker. A lack of a family history of alcoholism doesn't mean you can't develop a problem, but does improve your odds against doing so. You don't specify the time period over which you drank the 4 beers, but, consistent with your apparent absence of a genetic predisposition to develop an alcohol problem, you seem to have a low tolerance for alcohol; I suggest you keep it that way, and not attempt to build up a high tolerance. Your hangover also is consistent with the low tolerance and lack of family history of alcoholism, as it reflects a normal toxic reaction to alcohol.
Most people DO drink because, as you found out, alcohol is a disinhibitor and helps overcome social awkwardness. However, I caution you to not come to rely upon alcohol for the ability to socialize (which could result in a psychological dependence), but consciously begin to take risks to talk to people including girls, without alcohol.
I suggest that if you choose to continue to drink that you drink no more than a beer every hour or so, meaning that you will develop a mild buzz, but not be seriously impaired, and will not be pushing your tolerance up. I would limit the total number of beers to no more than 3-4, drunk as specified, no more that 1-2 times per week on the weekends. That is probably "moderate drinking", depending upon your definition. It certainly should be considered responsible drinking, if no adverse concsequnces occur.
The goal of drinking is not to get drunk, but to have fun due to a mild buzz. Anything beyond that is irresponsible, associated with negative consequences, and carries risks of development of a problem. The best definition of a problem is this: I drink; it causes problems in significant areas of my life (relationships, grades, work, legally, etc.); I know that, and continue to drink anyway. Lastly, as a 19 year old, your brain is still developing; it would be best to avoid drinkin at all, but you should certainly avoid drinking beyond the limits specified here.
