Drinking Alone Drastically Increases Your Risk of Getting Addicted

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In today's fast-paced and often stressful world, it's not uncommon to find ourselves seeking solace in different ways. For some, this may involve drinking alone as a means to cope with negative emotions or simply unwind after a long day. However, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with this behavior and consider healthier alternatives that can lead us towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.

The science on drinking alone

Recent studies have shed light on the link between drinking alone and alcohol addiction. Research has shown that individuals who frequently drink alone are at a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) later in life. While some may argue that solitary drinking is more normalized for men, studies indicate that women are actually more susceptible to the negative consequences of drinking alone.

The numbers speak for themselves: 18-year-olds who drink alone are 35% more likely to develop AUD by the age of 35, and for young adults who engage in solitary drinking at ages 23 and 24, their odds increase by a significant 60%.

But why is drinking alone such a significant risk factor?

One reason is that it often goes hand in hand with binge drinking, a behavior associated with the development of alcohol use disorder. Furthermore, drinking alone can lead to a more serious and persistent drinking style, as it may be used as a way to self-medicate and escape from negative emotions. It's important to recognize that drinking to cope with emotions is a red flag that should prompt us to explore healthier strategies for emotional well-being.

While it's crucial to understand the risks associated with solitary drinking, it's equally important to highlight the positive steps we can take towards a healthier lifestyle. If you find yourself drinking alone as a way to cope, it's time to explore alternative methods of managing stress and negative emotions. Engaging in activities such as exercise, meditation, or pursuing creative outlets can offer a healthier outlet for emotional release and help build resilience. Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of friends and loved ones who encourage and uplift you can also be instrumental in maintaining your sobriety.

Learn more about drinking alone in episode 111

Drinking alone let's us drink the way we really want to, but it greatly increases your risk of developing alcohol use disorder. In this episode, Gill will describe some recent studies from the past few years about solitary drinking, and one study even called it “serious drinking”. In this episode you’ll learn more about how drinking alone increases the risk of developing a problem and especially developing a severe problem. You’ll learn why drinking alone becomes so attractive to us and how getting into this cycle creates a major problem.

What to listen to next:

E43: Drinking to Cope

E29: The Link Between Drinking as a Teen and Developing an Addiction

E30: Gray Area Drinkers

E81: Why We Drink: Social Drinkers vs Problem Drinkers

E87: Why Shame Increases Loss of Control Over Alcohol and How to Manage Shame

E91: Do You Want to be Sober or Do You Want to Drink Without the Consequences?

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Sources

1. Creswell, K. et al. Solitary alcohol use in adolescence predicts alcohol problems in adulthood: A 17-year longitudinal study in a large national sample of US high school students. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2022.

2. C.J. Skrzynski, K.G. Creswell. Associations between solitary alcohol use and increased alcohol consumption, alcohol problems, and drinking to cope motives in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Addiction, 115 (11) (2020), pp. 1989-2007

3. Y.M. Terry-McElrath, P.M. O’Malley, M.E. Patrick. Solitary use of alcohol and marijuana by US 12th grade students, 1976-2019. JAMA Pediatr. (2021),

4. Keough, M. et al. Solitary drinking is associated with specific alcohol problems in emerging adults. Addictive Behaviors. 76:285-290. 2018.

5. Corbin, W. et al. I drink alone: Mechanisms of risk for alcohol problems in solitary drinkers. Addictive Behaviors. 102:106147. 2020.

Cite this episode

Tietz, G. Episode 111: Drinking Alone Drastically Increases Your Chances of Getting Addicted. Sober Powered. 2022.