Alcohol & Inhibitions

Even moderate drinking can lead to an increase in confidence and a loosening of inhibitions. After ingesting alcohol, the drinker may be more likely to engage in dangerous or damaging behavior. In addition to lowering inhibitions, alcohol can affect a drinker's judgment and limit his self control. Drinking and driving and unsafe sexual encounters are some of the problems you might face after inhibitions are lowered.

How Alcohol Affects the Body

• Alcohol is ingested, travels to the stomach, and is absorbed into the body's blood stream. From there it travels to tissue throughout the body. Alcohol begins to affect the brain in even small doses. Drinking can lead to slurred speech and loss of mobility. According to the University of Florida Counseling Center, alcohol also causes a decline in good judgment, loosening of inhibitions and decrease in self control.

What Is Safe Drinking?

• The Centers for Disease Control state that two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women should have no adverse health effects, although even that small amount may begin to loosen your inhibitions. More than five drinks in any sitting is defined as binge drinking. Binge drinking on a regular basis is harmful to your health and may loosen your inhibitions enough for you to wind up in dangerous situations.

Alcohol and Sexual Behavior

• Once inhibitions are loosened, the drinker may be more prone to engage in sexual activities that he wouldn't normally pursue. For example, a study conducted by researchers at Penn State University found that daily alcohol use changes male sexual behavior. This study confirmed that alcohol use increases arousal, lowers inhibitions and makes same sex pairings more likely. The dangers of this loosening of sexual inhibitions are clear. Alcohol may lead to unprotected sexual intercourse, which in turn can lead to the transmission of sexual disease or pregnancy.

Drinking and Driving

• Alcohol's effects on inhibitions are a key reason why you should have a transportation plan prepared before you start to consume. Once your inhibitions relax, you may be more likely to get behind the wheel. The lack of inhibition may mean you don't stop and think about the consequences of drinking and driving. Be sure to have a designated driver or a way to get home before you drink so you won't be faced with this situation.

Talk to Your Doctor

• If you are concerned about the effects of alcohol, or constantly find yourself getting into dangerous situations because of loosened inhibitions, talk to your doctor. He can provide information about safe levels of drinking, or give you information on treatment options if you need help ridding yourself of a drinking habit.