Is Alcoholism And Drunkenness Partially Psychological?

Canada
November 29, 2009 4:56pm CST
Can this be controlled with our minds? I have ALWAYS been able to hold my_liquor. I have no problem drinking the hard stuff, and in semi-large quantities too, with no problems the next day. Case in point. Last night was my husband's and my 5th anniversary of the day we met, and we went out to a Greek restaurant for dinner, where I had two big glasses of white wine, and he had two Canadian beers. I say Canadian, because our beer is stronger than American beer. After that, we both had a shot of Ouzo. We were both feeling rather "good" after that, and came home, where we had a few shots of Slivovitz (Serbian plum brandy), and went to bed. We felt nummed as one would after drinking that much, but we were still very much in control of our minds, and our actions. Maybe our reflexes weren't sharp (no way we would have driven in those circumstances, we took a cab, but we're both blind, so we woudln't have driven anyway), but we were still very very aware. This morning we woke up, and we felt fine. We don't drink like that very often. We may do that a couple of times a year. We keep a bottle of Slivovitz in the house, and both drink one shot or two in the evenings, just because it takes good. A 750 ml bottle can last about a week and a half, and that's with two of us drinking it. We are both very aware of what we can drink, and what our limits are. We don't test these limits often. Heck, we don't even reach these limits often. Last night was a rare exception. We also make it a point NEVER EVER EVER to drink when we are feeling stressed. My husband smokes, and I chew coffee beans. LOL So I'm wondering. If people don't drink when they are stressed, and if people know their limits and do not test them often, can alcoholism be avoided? Can we psychologically prevent ourselves from getting drunk, or suffering a hangover, if we only drink for the social benefit of it, and for the taste, not for the feeling that comes with over-doing it?
3 people like this
1 response
@balasri (26537)
• India
16 Dec 09
Well this is a good discussion. We all can eat the cake and have it too if we are a little wiser. Drinking is a pleasurable habit. I do drink but definitely on the Friday nights preceding the week end. I never drink more than three shots of Whiskey. This amount is enough for me to unwind and pour out my mind to my wife and daughter freely and have a wonderful evening. I can have one more shot which will make me drowsy and sleepy that kills the joy of drinking. I never have to drown my sorrows in drinks. So as you say if one knows to enjoy the drinks without letting the drink enjoy them, it is always a wonderful experience.