Your alarm didn’t go off and you were late for work. Your boss is bombarding you with emails and a coworker wants you to help her with a project. It’s only Monday and Happy Hour can’t come sooner.
Does it sound familiar?
A drink after work can seem like a good way to unwind, but is there a connection between this habit and alcohol abuse? Let’s explore!
What Is the Happy Hour?
Happy Hour used to mean going to the bars on Friday nights to start the weekend off right. Bar owners were aware of this and offered Happy Hour deals for beers on tap and drinks, usually between 4 pm-7 pm.
Alcohol consumption is deeply ingrained in the American consciousness. Whether it’s a toast to the bride and groom, a cocktail or glass of wine at a romantic dinner with the girlfriend, or a business dinner with the boss, alcohol has simply come to be associated with all the happy moments in life. At this point, the question remains, is there happiness without alcohol?
When it is presented as a harmless act, and more and more people are encouraged to drink, even at a young age, by the example of already addicted parents or media stars, then it can become dangerous.
Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world right now. This is mostly due to the fact that it’s legal and very easy to get a hold of. Virtually every social event nowadays has plenty of alcohol to go around. Nevertheless, don’t let yourself get too comfortable with the false sense of security, alcohol is extremely addictive. If you are drinking every day, or multiple times a day then you might have a problem. You might want to consider inpatient rehab for drugs in order to get your life back on track. The more you wait the harder it will be to stay clean in the long run.
Of course, we are not saying that this is the only and main cause of alcohol abuse. Many factors can be at play here, such as a family history of alcohol abuse, age, social background, the ease with which alcohol can be found, relationships with others, and mental health.
The Causes of Uncontrolled Alcohol Consumption
The most popular causes of alcohol abuse are:
- An alcoholic parent
- A mental illness (depression, bipolar, anxiety, etc.)
- Stress, low self-esteem
- The use of other illegal substances
- A high tolerance to alcohol (you drink more to feel its effect)
- The adrenaline caused by this addiction
Warning Signs of Alcohol Dependence:
Some early signs of alcohol addiction are :
- Being unable to control the number of drinks
- Feeling the strong urge to drink
- Relationship and financial problems
- Withdrawal when not drinking
- Drinking in secret
Can Happy Hour Cause Alcohol Abuse?
Essentially Happy hour was created to help you get into the weekend mood faster and to strengthen friendships at work or in your circle of friends. And what better way to shut down your brain and double thoughts, and let your soul and words run free than by using a mind-numbing drink of alcohol.
Nonetheless, some alternatives don’t include alcohol or other substances, that can make you relax, such as:
- Game Night
- Karaoke
- PaintBall,
- Laser tag
- Various courses
- Dinner and movie
- Sports events
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Happy Hour can make you abuse alcohol, only if you let it. There are plenty of other ways to relax beside the classic bar night out, and the hangover afterward.
Our specialized psychiatric hospitals are designed to help patients with a wide range of disorders.
Rehabilitation centers Johannesburg can be found by contacting info@rehabhelper.co.za
To understand about Luxury Alcoholic Drinks industry, Read here
