College is starting back up, and with that comes a plethora of fun social occasions and interactions that mark the beginning of a year: society events, nights out at Workman’s, Friday evenings at the Pav, and other constant activity.
“So much of how we socialise in college is punctuated by alcohol”
So much of how we socialise in college is punctuated by alcohol. Over three quarters of Irish third level students had drunk in the past week according to a study by UCC, and 66% engage in a level of drinking that is considered unsafe. With classes and the library taking up the bulk of our days, it’s natural that in the evenings we’re on the prowl for a way to destress, and a few cold pints at the end of the day with friends is sometimes what does the trick.
In my own freshers week, which is two years ago now, I spent the majority of it fairly inebriated, as did most of my friends. With no classes to attend (yet) and advice to “get out there!,” the natural inclination was to attend as many club nights, pub quizzes, and wine n’ cheese gatherings as possible. If you’re like me, and empty silence in a conversation makes you want to crawl into the floor and die, a few drinks is usually just enough to give you a boost of confidence, give up secrets and stories that you otherwise would never divulge.
“It is shown that alcohol can have a positive function in social situations”
After all, it is shown that alcohol can have a positive function in social situations. I’ve dealt with social anxiety, particularly in large groups, for the vast majority of my life, and for many people in that boat, alcohol can function as a “social lubricant,” making it easier to socialise in a group setting. An Atlantic article about our culture’s relationship with alcohol explained that “people who drink lightly or moderately are happier and psychologically healthier than those who abstain”.
Drinking shuts off your body’s production of glutamate, lowering your inhibitions, making you feel freer and chattier. A light bit of indulgence in alcohol might allow you to get to know someone better than you would’ve sober, potentially contributing to that boost in happiness for light to moderate drinkers. But what we all know, if you’ve ever taken it too far on a night out, is that the aftereffect commonly referred to as “hangxiety” can completely reverse the effects you felt the night before.
“We all know the feeling; you don’t want to get out of bed, check your bank account, check your camera roll, check your texts”
When the alcohol is wearing off and glutamate production is increasing, symptoms of anxiety and reduced feelings of calm increase. We all know the feeling; you don’t want to get out of bed, check your bank account, check your camera roll, check your texts. If you’re lucky it’s because you’ve got a bad memory from the night before creeping into the front of your mind. If you’re unlucky, it’s because you remember so little of it but have a sinking feeling you may regret your actions. All that paired with the fact that you probably got a terrible night’s sleep and most likely have a headache, it’s not a nice feeling.
These reasons make alcohol, particularly binge drinking alcohol, a risk rather than an asset in social situations. Sure, you might have introduced yourself to twenty new people and have a few more phone numbers in your contacts from your prime bar networking skills, but if you don’t remember it, is it worth it? If you do remember it but it makes you cringe the morning after, is it worth it?
I’m on Erasmus right now, which means I’m living a (sort of) rehashed fresher’s, in that I’m meeting loads of people and getting myself acquainted with a new environment. I, however, am trying to be a bit more mindful about my alcohol consumption, especially since there are much better social lubricants: humour, vulnerability, and even tiredness are just a few. Awkward midnight confessions of your personal stories hit so much harder when you can remember and appreciate it, and when you know it was earnest.
I’m not forcing abstention down anyone’s throat. I still drink, but I now try to avoid drinking to get drunk. The experience of alcohol also becomes a lot more rewarding when instead of scouring for the cheapest wine or bottle of liquor several times a week, you’re enjoying a craft beer in a new city, making a creative cocktail with friends, or picking and savouring a slightly nicer bottle of wine. In our new cultural wave of “sober curiosity,” I ask people to stop using alcohol as a means to dull feelings or change who they are as a person, and instead consider the benefits of moderation. It’s worth it.
