I know this topic is a sensitive one for many. I say many because drinking is such a world-wide “touchy” spot for many of us. I say touchy because most of us do not like to see alcohol as a ‘problem’ in our lives or will not desire to even evaluate the relationship with alcohol in general.
Meanwhile, It can be important to understand the effects of drinking on your daily life. It can be helpful to review its affects on our personal and professional relationships as these all can be impacted by our habits such as drinking.
We currently live in a culture of smart and capable individuals who desire to live healthier and happier lives free of toxicity, yet at the same time we deliberately engage in substance use on a regular basis which affects our brain activity in negative ways and wonder why our lives are impacted in ways we often do not even realize. I can say the same with our culture and diet (which we will discuss at a later time).
In doing my research into the effects of alcohol on the brain I’ve come to realize many of the diagnosis we see, hear and read about in the DSM and books alike, is the neglect to inform and educate on the combination of drinking and how this factor might play a larger role on our health and mindsets in general related to these diagnosis.
We realize alcohol “ethanol” is a depressant, yet we continue to indulge and often blame other factors/individuals in our lives for our depressive moods/feelings and thoughts and have no idea the 1-3 glasses of wine you engaged the other night still have a lingering impact on your mental and physical health.
Alcohol impacts our frontal lobe which is related to logical thinking, executive functioning, emotions, etc. The more we drink, the more we are impacted (which often goes unnoticed because you feel okay the next days to come). However, alcohol on the brain does have residual affects and often present and manifests in ways we should take deeper dives into learning more about, for instance, symptoms and behaviors and understanding for ourselves on deeper levels to evaluate our choices.
Drinking ways always a social and ‘fun’ thing for me growing up in Northern Ca. Its often seen as a way to connect and socially related to others. However, many of us are not fully educated on how to ‘drink’ responsibility and often drink to excess for party and ‘fun’ times.
Additionally, many of us are concerned with stopping drinking because of the stigmas or ‘how’ they will be seen “not” drinking because of the social aspect overall. This was not necessarily the case for me. My drinking increased around COVID and my separation. I had to come to a better understanding of my relationship with drinking and learn to effectively manage the triggers I remind clients to explore when they are feared and triggered. I also had to evaluate and get honest with my reason(s) for drinking in the first place.
Its important to follow your own path and not be too concerned with the thoughts or concerns about others when it comes to ethanol in our lives. Do not be ashamed to let things go in your life which do not help elevate your life. Overall, I am grateful to continue to educate and share ways to combat the use of ethanol and how our mental and physical health is impacted regularly if you do endulge.
I truly hope these reminders and similar stories and education, allows at least one individual to evaluate their relationship with ethanol and discern if the substance is of use or a hindrance in one’s life.
Stay well and healthy beautiful souls! You are worth it!
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