5 Facts About Alcohol That May Shock You

You may have heard you can’t get a hangover if you drink beer before liquor or caffeine can help you “sober up.” But are these just tall tales you’ve been told? Read more to find out the facts about alcohol use so you can make healthy choices.

Drinking Alcohol Doesn’t Warm You Up

It is actually the opposite. Drinking alcohol causes blood to rush to the surface of the skin, which can make you feel warmer, but your body temperature is really dropping. Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, making you lose heat more quickly. Alcohol also blocks the body’s warmth process by causing chills.²

Wine or Beer Can Have The Same Effect as Hard Liquor

Whether you choose a glass of merlot or a margarita, all types of alcohol contain the same active ingredient. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines indicate that a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and 1.5 ounces of liquor all have the same amount of alcohol content and will lead to the same amount of intoxication.^1,2

• 12 ounces (oz.) of beer (5 percent alcohol)
• 8 to 9 oz. of malt beer (7 percent alcohol)
• 5 oz. of wine (12 percent alcohol)
• 1.5 oz. of distilled spirits (40 percent alcohol)

Coffee Can’t Help You To “Sober Up”

Yes, coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that can make you feel more alert and awake. But it doesn’t help your body process alcohol any faster. So, what will help? If you’ve been drinking, giving your body time to break down the alcohol in your system is the only way to sober up. Forget any “quick fixes” they will not help.²

Alcohol is as Dangerous and Addictive as Other Drugs

Alcohol is widely accepted and having a drink is often encouraged in society, making it among the most commonly misused addictive substances. Drinking regularly over many years changes a person’s brain and body chemistry which makes it very hard to quit. About 12.7 adults meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD). That’s 1 in 8 adults. Alcohol-attributable deaths are the third-leading preventable cause of death in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 88,424 people die from alcohol-related causes each year in the United States.

Quitting Alcohol On Your Own Can Be Dangerous

When attempting to stop drinking after heavy alcohol use, going “cold turkey” is not a safe decision. It can not only be very uncomfortable but also dangerous, and even deadly. In a medical detoxification program, doctors can guide you through the withdrawal phase, monitoring your health and helping to prevent the most severe, potentially life-threatening symptoms.³

If you’re struggling with addiction to alcohol and want to learn more information about alcohol rehab programs, your treatment options, and how to start admissions, contact our helpful and knowledgeable admissions navigators at .