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  Why do People use Alcohol?  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Reasons people use alcohol
  1. To change the way their body or mind functions.
    2.

    Alcohol causes a variety of feelings such as happiness, relaxation, sleepiness and drunkenness.  Alternatives: exercise, get more sleep, eat properly, play a team sport, read a really good book, learn something new, talk to a friend.

    There are many reasons why people might want to use alcohol to change the way they feel. People may have different reasons for drinking on different occasions. For example, people will celebrate an event such as a wedding with a drink, or toast. The alcohol has a small effect on changing their mood.

  2. To help them create an image of themselves.
    3.

    Like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol is another way of trying to show people that you are mature or grownup. Drinking certain types of alcohol, like champagne, is a way of showing your wealth or celebrating.  Alternatives: invent your own image, take a personality quiz, start a new trend, be yourself, not what some ad tells you you should be.

  3. Out of curiosity
    4.

    Many younger people have their first experience with alcohol to see what it tastes like and feel its effects. Older people who have developed a taste for certain alcoholic beverages like to try different types.  What else are you curious about?  Discover the mysteries of life - why do trees drop their leaves in the fall, what makes Teflon stick to the pan, why bread always falls peanut butter side down.

  4. Because of problems such as anger, stress, boredom or depression.
    5.

    People drink alcohol to change moods they want to escape. To do this, they will probably have to drink more than one drink. This reason for drinking is more likely to lead to problem drinking.  Everyone has problems from time to time.  Learn how to manage problems by talking to a friend, a parent, a counsellor.

  5. Because of social pressures.
    6.

    When people are at social events where alcohol is served, they may end up feeling pressure to drink. This could be because the hosts keep offering drinks, or it could be because there are no non-alcoholic drinks available.  No one likes to feel like an outsider, but there are many other ways to in "in".  Find a club, a group of friends with similar interests, participate in a favorite activity.  If you're shy, talk to a counsellor about how to meet people.

    Some people are uncomfortable at social events and use alcohol so that they can be more relaxed and outgoing and talk to people.

  6. Because of group pressures.

This pressure is faced by most young people at some point in time. A person may feel the need to drink to show that they are a part of the group. Often non-drinkers will be pressured to join in and drink with he rest of the group.  It's hard to be your own person sometimes.  Find a group of people who will support your desire not to drink, or do anything that you know can be harmful.