Alcohol and Sex

Alcohol and Sex

Drinking alcohol has a number of effects on sex and sexual behavior. There is a strange counterbalance between alcohol and sex: the suppressive effects of alcohol on sexual functioning decreases sexual activity, yet at the same time its suppression of psychological inhibitions, increases the desire for sex.

Alcohol is a depressant; it causes the body’s systems to slow down. Often, feelings of drunkenness are associated with elation and happiness but other feelings of anger or depression can also arise. Balance, judgment, and coordination are also negatively impacted. One of the most significant short term side effects of alcohol is reduced inhibition. The relationship between alcohol and sex here becomes significant because reduced inhibitions can lead to an increase in sexual behavior.

Alcohol and Sex in Men

Men’s sexual behaviors can be affected dramatically by alcohol. Both chronic and acute alcohol consumption inhibit the production of testosterone. Because testosterone is critical for libido and physical arousal, alcohol tends to have damaging effects on male sexual performance. Alcohol intoxication can decrease sexual arousal, decrease pleasure and intensity of orgasm, and increase difficulty in attaining orgasm. Therefore, contrary to the belief that alcohol and sex go hand-in-hand, as demonstrated in the social practice of meeting people at bars, alcohol only serves to negatively impact sexual performance in men.

Alcohol and Sex in Women

Women have a different response to alcohol intoxication than men. In many women, alcohol and sex seem to complement each other more than men, alcohol and sex. Women’s sexual arousal and desire, is increased with the intake of alcohol however it lowers the signs of arousal. Studies have shown that acute alcohol consumption tends to cause increased levels of testosterone and estradiol. Since testosterone controls in part the strength of libido in women, this tends to cause an increase in interest in sex. Also, because women have a higher percentage of body fat and less water in their bodies than men, alcohol can have a quicker and more dramatic impact. Women’s bodies take longer to process alcohol; that is, a woman’s body often takes one-third longer to eliminate alcohol from their system.

For women, alcohol and sex is also different in their sexual behavior. Studies have shown that increased BAC is associated with longer periods of orgasmic inactivity and decreased intensity of orgasm. Some women report a greater sexual arousal with increased alcohol consumption as well as increased sensations of pleasure during orgasm.

Psychologically speaking, alcohol plays a role in women’s sexual behavior. Women who were intoxicated then reported that they believed they were more sexually aroused than before their consumption of alcohol. This psychological effect contrasts with what the physiological effects were measured to be. This again supports the belief that alcohol and sex is affected because drinking alcohol leads to a loss of inhibitions. Often, alcohol can influence the capacity for a woman to feel more relaxed and in turn, be more sexual because she is not as inhibited as she would be if she was sober.

 

 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/

http://www.webmd.com/

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Alcoholism in College

Alcoholism in College

College drinking is extremely widespread: about four out of five college students drink alcohol. About half of college students who drink, do so by binge drinking. The first 6 weeks of freshman year is an especially vulnerable time for heavy drinking and alcohol-related consequences because of student expectations and social pressures at the start of the academic year.

College Drinking: Trending Toward Alcoholism in College Students?

A new study shows that 6% of college students meet criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence or alcoholism and 31% meet the clinical criteria for alcohol abuse. The study also found that more than two of every five students report at least one symptom of these conditions, putting them at increased risk of developing a true alcohol disorder.

More than 14,000 students at 119 4-year colleges were surveyed by researchers who then based their findings on these responses. Researches included questions that are based on criteria for the diagnosis of alcohol disorders as set forth by the American Psychiatric Association. Alcohol disorders include alcohol dependence, the most severe, to alcohol abuse, a less advanced, although still serious disorder.

Binge Drinking and Alcoholism in College

Binge drinkers (heavy episodic drinkers) and especially those who frequently binge drink, are at an increased risk of developing one of these alcohol disorders. Heavy episodic drinkers are defined as men who had five or more—or women who had four or more—drinks in a row at least once in a two week period before completing the survey questionnaire. The definition of a frequent heavy episodic drinker is someone who has consumed these amounts at least three times in the previous two weeks.

Further Findings of Alcoholism in College

Students who attend colleges with heavy drinking environments are more likely to be diagnosed with abuse or dependence. Male students are at greater risk than females. Nearly one in 10 college men under age 24 met a 12-month diagnosis of alcohol dependence compared to one in 20 college women under age 24.

Community Impact of Alcoholism in College

Each year, drinking affects college students, as well as college communities, and families.  And it’s clear that there is a relationship between alcohol and crime. The consequences of drinking include:

Death: 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries.

Assault: More than 690,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.

Sexual Abuse: More than 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.

Injury: 599,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 receive unintentional injuries while under the influence of alcohol.

Academic Problems: About 25% of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall.

Health Problems: More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem.

Suicide Attempts: Between 1.2 and 1.5 percent of students indicate that they tried to commit suicide within the past year due to drinking or drug use.

Drunk Driving: Each year an estimated 3,360,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 drive under the influence of alcohol.

Prevention: Alcoholism in College

Research strongly suggests that prevention strategies geared towards particular groups, specifically individual students, the student body as a whole, the college itself and its surrounding community, can help reduce the frequency and quantity of college drinking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://alcoholism.about.com/

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

 

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Is alcohol ruining your relationship?

Is Alcohol Ruining Your Relationship?

Alcohol is portrayed by the media and other outlets as being part of a fun filled time either in the VIP section of a club or maybe even at an outdoor beach party with the hottest bikini clad women of all time. The truth is while alcohol may make some events a bit more, “boisterous” if you will; it can actually end up ruining a lot of things that would have been way better off without its intoxicating effects.

One of the biggest things alcohol is great at ruining is relationships. Many people find that when one or both partners are drinking things that they never expected or have experienced in their relationship begin to happen. Many times alcohol is the only thing standing in the way of a healthy relationship; its alcohol causing relationship problems.

So is alcohol ruining your relationship?

If you think there is chance its alcohol causing relationship problems for you then first off, let us say, stop drinking. You encounter conflict in your relationship without alcohol’s bitter haze. If you are in a good relationship you are able to work things out with your partner with open communication and open minded conversation no matter how big and serious the conflict is. However, conflict caused by alcohol has some serious negative outcomes. When alcohol is flowing freely, it begins causing relationship problems by doing a few things. Alcohol causes relationship problems by:

  • Changing our perception
  • Turning a meaningless look or statement into a catastrophic event
  • Causes jealousy and paranoia
  • Arguing when drunk
  • Breaking up several time when under the influence of alcohol
  • Physical or emotional abuse toward or from your partner
  • Infidelity

Alcohol causing relationship problems and just making things worse

Alcohol causing relationship problems is not a new thing. And most of the time people in relationships know the alcohol is causing the relationship problems by covering up many underlying issues either personal or having to do with the relationship. Both people may use the excuse of being drunk to act out or to open up about relationship problems. And quite obviously this is not the best way to approach these issues because alcohol impairs your judgment. Not being able to see the situation clearly will make any relationship problems impossible to solve and may in fact just make them much worse than they were to begin with.

Alcohol causing relationship problems: A solution

If you find alcohol causing relationship problems in your life then you should find a way to approach the problem; a solution. Here are some suggestions if you have realized alcohol causing relationship problems in your life.

•Eliminate alcohol, especially when there is tension between you and your significant other. Adding alcohol will just be adding fuel to the fire.

•If you have had unresolved issues recently, try to work them out sober. You may want to take some time away from the subject before revisiting it.

•If your partner has been drinking and is trying to get a rise out of you or start an argument, don’t fall for the trap. Let them talk all the nonsense out. In the end you can’t reason with an intoxicated person.

Is alcohol causing relationship problems? It may be time to get help.

If you notice alcohol causing relationship problems and try out those suggestions and things aren’t getting better it may be time to get out of the relationship. Also ask yourself if you can spend time with your partner without alcohol. If you can’t imagine what that is like that alcohol may not be causing relationship problems but is the problem which you need to get help for.

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

5 Signs Your “Party-Animal” Friend Might Be an Alcoholic

Party Animal Personality

5 Signs Your “Party-Animal” Friend Might Be an Alcoholic

There is a group of you. Maybe it is a group of three, possibly four. You all work different jobs, maybe two of you work the same job and you enjoy going out for drinks on the weekend. And you all love having a good time, I mean that is what life is about right? Fun with friends? But there is that one person, that one friend in your group on the weekends that you would consider the “party-animal” and their drinking is turning into a head tilting, embarrassing mess. You and your friends have begun having conversations with each other about the “party-animal” friend’s drinking and you begin to wondering if they might be an alcoholic. They quite possibly could be but you don’t know what an alcoholic is. You know the homeless drunk that you see when walking down the street but that isn’t your “party-animal” friend. Maybe your friend just needs to grow up? Or maybe it something more serious? Well, here are some signs that may help you to figure out what is really going on with your friend.

5 signs that your “party-animal” friend might be an alcoholic:

  1. Pay attention to your friend’s tolerance for alcohol. An increased tolerance for alcohol is a big indicator that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic. Overtime their system doesn’t respond to the same amount you would probably drink while out. As a result of this they drink more and more frequently.
  2. Look at how your friend considers drinking as a part of their daily routine. An alcoholic person often sets up a schedule for their alcohol. For instance if they visit a bar or liquor store daily after work your party animal friend may be an alcoholic. You will also notice that your friend makes excuses just to go get a drink.
  3. Passing out or blackouts are severe indicators that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic. Passing or blacking out can happen to anyone and everyone but it is unlikely and is unusual if it happens more than once. Someone who blacks out or passes out from drinking too much could very well be an alcoholic or be on their way to being an alcoholic.
  4. Bring up your party animal friend’s drinking to them and see what happens. Usually someone who might be an alcoholic responds very negatively and defensively. They will constantly deny or lie about the issue and never face the facts about their drinking.
  5. Keep track of how often your party animal friend becomes drunk whenever alcohol is available. Ordering “doubles” of drinks, gulping, or becoming quickly intoxicated are all indications that your party animal friend might be an alcoholic.

Everyone has that one friend that likes to get a little bit out of control and they are fun to be around and they are our friends. But if you think your party animal friend might be an alcoholic it is best if you care about them and talk to them about cutting back or quitting all together.

Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2046129_recognize-signs-alcoholism.html

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.

Alcohol and Sexual Dysfunction

Alcohol and Sexual Dysfunction

Many people think of alcohol as an aphrodisiac.  Alcohol lowers the inhibitions, causing some to act out sexually. Many people use alcohol to loosen themselves up before sex with a new partner. After a few drinks, you get rid of your bedroom jitters and are able to relax. But beyond the newfound confidence, alcohol can be bad for your sex life. On one hand, alcohol suppresses inhibitions which can increase the desire for sex, on the other; it suppresses sexual physiology, which can decrease sexual activity and ability to perform.

Alcohol is a depressant, and using it heavily can dampen mood and decrease sexual desire. Alcohol causes the body to slow down.

Alcohol and Sexual Dysfunction: Men

Men’s sexual behaviors can be affected dramatically by drinking. In men, alcohol and sexual dysfunction are highly linked. Both chronic and acute alcohol consumption can inhibit testosterone production, which is critical for libido and physical arousal.

Long term intake of alcohol can lead to damage to the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system resulting in loss of sexual desire and impotence in men. Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, is a condition in which a man is unable to achieve an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. In some cases, the man is able to achieve an erection but unable to maintain it long enough to complete the sex act. Alcohol can block nerve impulses and messages between the brain and the body.

Alcohol also causes decreased intensity of orgasm and decreased ability to achieve orgasm.

Alcohol and Sexual Dysfunction: Women

In many women, alcohol increases sexual desire and arousal. However, it does lower the physiological signs of arousal.

In women, consumption of alcohol can actually increase levels of testosterone, increasing sexual desire.

However, alcohol and sexual dysfunction in women has a lot to do with how much a woman drinks. At increased BAC’s (Blood Alcohol Concentrations), a woman has a much harder time attaining orgasm. Because alcohol has a dehydrating effect, women may have difficulty producing lubrication.

Alcohol and Sexual Dysfunction: Sexual Risk-Taking

Overindulging can also have other related sexual effects. Sometimes, drinking large amounts of alcohol can cause people to make risky sexual choices that they would not have made while sober. This could include having sex with multiple partners, having unprotected sex, or having sex outside of a monogamous relationship. This, of course, increases the incidence of unwanted pregnancy and cases of sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

Also, the incidence of date rape and sexual assault is much higher when you factor in alcohol. Victims are less likely to be able to ward off an attack when they have had a lot to drink. Additionally, because alcohol impairs judgment, people who have had a lot to drink are less likely to recognize and avoid potentially risky situations.

Alcohol and sexual dysfunction can be largely avoided by drinking in moderation. This means having no more than one two drinks in a day. Overindulging can have a negative impact on your sex life.

http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/women_sex_and_alcohol/

http://sexuality.about.com/od/femalesexualhealth/a/alcoholsexwomen.htm

http://www.everydayhealth.com/erectile-dysfunction/why-boozing-can-be-bad-for-your-sex-life.aspx

If you need help with your addiction give us a call now at 1-800-984-4003.