Gray area drinking is the place in between rock bottom and a once-in-awhile drinker. Alcohol consumption has existed since time immemorial and people often do so for various reasons. The reason there’s a gray area in alcohol consumption is because of the extremes in which the condition has. One person can go through life having never rated alcoholic drinks while the other can be completely dependent on alcohol.
Then some are neither of these extremes. Drinkers in the gray area often don’t need to go for rehab or be under supervision to stop drinking. This, however, does not mean that they don’t question their drinking habits. In this day and era, gray area drinking has become sort of a norm, especially among the youth. Young people often find things and activities they can resonate with on a day-to-day basis.
Hanging out with friends at a bar frequently might lead you into the gray area. You find yourself not addicted to the drinking culture but develop a liking to it. Addictions are not necessarily bad when channeled to the right angle. For instance, you might be addicted to scents and for this, you can have several perfumes contained in a bespoke cardboard box. However, when you’re referred to as an addict toalcohol then it becomes an issue.
Is Drinking a Cultural Thing?
Drinking has become one of the key aspects of socialization in our society and in many cultures. People easily ease up to each other when in an informal set up, even work colleagues. The consumption of alcohol is widely associated with celebrations. For that,’Celebration’ is used as a justification for drinking in some countries. However, different cultures have different understandings and regards to alcohol consumption.
Just like religion, some cultures do not allow alcohol consumption for various cultural beliefs. With different cultures come different drinking practices. For example some people are more inclined to drinking at social gatherings and spaces such as a bar. Others prefer to buy their preferred drink and enjoy it at the comfort of their homes.
Some people even believe that drinking can be passed down through generations. Sometimes you try something and find ways that work for you that don’t necessarily have to fit in with cultures and expectations.
Circumstantial Dependence
The gray region of consumption was linked to a minor but statistically significant increase in the chances of prevalent and incident alcoholism. This has a direct bearing on what someone is going through on a day-to-day basis. People tend to find a way to react after something happens in their life. In most cases, when bad or unexpected things happen, people need to find a way to vent. Drinking mostly seems like the easier and faster way to do so.
It is not necessarily the best and effective way to vent but it is usually available and convenient for most people. An example would be during the Covid 19 pandemic, people turned to alcohol consumption as a way to get things moving or avoid dealing with reality.
According to surveys, there has been an increased intake since the pandemic started. It was found that those who experienced stress increased the amount of alcohol they drank and how often they took it. It would be expected that during this time people spent time indoors. Therefore, one would then have enough time to work on projects and strategize such as learning how to expand in business. About importing goods, but to make your work easier contact a China sourcing specialist to do the heavy lifting for you.
Health Risks
Even though the grey area for drinking is in between the extremes of consumption, some people may have health issues that arise from even consumption of small amounts. You might consume small amounts but when done continuously for a long time it ultimately generates issues. Old people who have taken in lots of alcohol over the years tend to develop kidney problems.
Some people can have diarrhea or vomit just to get the excess levels out of their system. Medical bills can cripple your financial stability but instead, you can spend that money on more constructive projects in your life like furnishing your home with quality furniture products from a reputable tables and chairs supplier. These health problems brought by alcohol can be avoided by focusing on other habits.
Signs of Gray Area Drinking
- Drink on extremes – Drinking can be caused by many things. The most common stimulant is one’s experience, whether good or bad. People tend to drink more when they are going through something in life such as the loss of a loved one or losing a job.
- Can stop for a while – you are mostly not dependent on alcohol and can fail to drink it for some time without struggle. You only drink when you feel like doing so.
- Your drinking affects no one – when your drinking has no immediate effect on those around you; it can be referred to as responsible drinking. This makes you more comfortable with the habit.
Conclusion
Gray area drinking can be a slippery slope, because of the pull to it by the society we live in. If you feel the need for the support it is best to contact healthcare professionals.
