Posted by blueboy on September 28, 2007, at 10:01:00
In reply to NARDIL ALCOHOL - THE PRO SOCIAL/DIS-INHIBITION MIX, posted by Lebrada on September 27, 2007, at 9:38:02
All I can say is, be on careful guard for alcoholism. It got me.
Alcohol is a superbly effective short-term anti-anxiety drug, particularly for social anxiety. People serve drinks at parties for a reason, LOL.
The problem is 1) the side effects, 2) possibility of addiction, and 3) dosage control (i.e. temptation to overdose).
If you do get addicted, it's a nasty one. Alcohol is the most physically addictive drug known, including heroin. It's the only drug that I know of, where an addict can die from withdrawal symptoms. Hospitals will actually give i.v. ethanol to alcoholics, to ease withdrawal symptoms.
It is also pretty high on the physical destructiveness scale; heavy chronic alcohol use is maybe worse for you than cigarettes, and a lot worse than heroin (but not as bad as say meth or Ecstasy).
Short-term, high blood alcohol levels are associated with voluntary or accidental homicide and suicide, especially when cars or guns are involved. Not to mention pregnancy, STD's, HIV, etc. It is dangerous in combination with other drugs, and is prevalent as a contributing factor in overdose deaths from other drugs. You can even die just from drinking too much. It's not likely, but it seems like every year some college student dies of alcohol poisoning.
Now the good news: Taken moderately (like one drink a day, @ 1 oz pure ethanol), alcohol is beneficial to your health and will lengthen your life expectancy! Plus your life will be happier as well as healthier. And a lot of people are able to drink alcohol in moderation their entire lives.
My personal feeling is that people with very high social anxiety and perhaps GAD are at increased risk of abusing alcohol. Also, people who are potential or practicing alcoholics are notably dishonest with themselves about having a problem.
So, that's my little parental alcohol lecture, LOL. I hope and pray you can drink in moderation and use it successfully to have a happier and healthier life, but be careful.
poster:blueboy
thread:785488
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070919/msgs/785696.html