Alcohol Facts and Myths

A number of misconceptions exists about alcohol that have taken on a life of their own and essentially become facts in the minds of many people. Unfortunately, many of these so-called facts could not be further from the truth. Despite the inauthenticity of these beliefs, however, millions persist in their delusions and complicate the matter even more by passing along this misinformation to others. Sadly, some of these myths about alcohol could potentially lead to serious consequences.

One of the most common myths about alcohol is that eating food can keep a person from becoming drunk. While it is true that food can retard the absorption of alcohol by the body, it is a myth that it stops the process. Alcohol will eventually be absorbed into the blood and no amount of food can stop this. It may take slightly longer to get drunk, but if even if you eat a seven-course meal and follow that up with even a moderate amount of alcohol, you will still feel the effects of the liquor.

The sheer volume of alcohol served at bars and nightclubs every evening, as well as during romantic dinners, lends credence to the idea that many believe alcohol is great for sex. The sad reality is that since alcohol is a depressant rather than a stimulant, the opposite is actually true. While alcohol almost certainly stimulates an interest in sex as well as contributes to a drop in inhibitions, performance and sensitivity are reduced while under the influence.

Movies and TV shows are filled with scenes of drunk people being sobered by drinking coffee. It is a myth so ingrained into the collective consciousness that it seems as though there must be something to it; the caffeine, perhaps, or just simply the scalding heat on one's tongue. In fact, there is nothing about coffee that can sober up a person who has had either too much liquor or just a little. One might as well drink water, lemon juice or gravy; the effect will be the same until the alcohol has worked its way through the system.

It may still be too early to determine whether this is fact or myth, but one thing is for sure: It is a myth that everybody in the medical community agrees that alcoholism is a disease. American Medical Association guidelines for defining a disease are so broad that any number of conditions are capable of qualifying. The verdict remains out on whether alcoholism is scientifically a disease or not.