5 Lies We Tell Ourselves About Drinking
A Short, Honest Look at What Drinking Actually Gives Us
Most of us don’t drink alcohol because we love the taste.
Do you remember your first drink? Did you say “Wow, that’s amazing, I want more!” or did you have a pretty visceral reaction?
I remember tasting my dad’s beer and thinking it was the most disgusting thing I’d ever tasted.
Most people drink for the relief it promises from stress, anxious thoughts, and social pressure.
And for a few hours, it works. That’s the seductive part.
But what if those drinks you think are taking the edge off are actually sharpening it? What if the calm you feel tonight is just tomorrow’s anxiety waiting to collect interest?
Here are five lies we tell ourselves about drinking.
If you’ve ever said any of these to yourself, you’re not alone.
#1: I Deserve This
You do deserve relief. You deserve rest.
But alcohol doesn’t deliver it. It disrupts sleep and pushes your anxiety to later—often louder.
You deserve recovery, not a delay button.
#2: It Helps Me Unwind
It slows your nervous system down temporarily. But that’s not the same as actually resolving stress.
Those of us with anxiety know what it’s like to drink one day and feel hangxiety the next.
If it truly helped you unwind, you wouldn’t pay for it the next day.
#3: I’m More Fun When I Drink
Sure, alcohol lowers inhibitions. That probably feels like confidence in the moment.
Have you been sober around drunk people? Do you find them fun? Sometimes they are. Sometimes, not so much.
Trying to be fun enough for drunk people is a losing battle.
If you feel like you’re only that fun after a few drinks, it might be worth getting curious about what makes you feel alive and confident without alcohol.
#4: Everyone Does It
Many people drink, but popularity doesn’t make something harmless.
Plenty of common habits quietly harm the people practicing them. For instance, a lot of people scroll themselves numb every night. That doesn’t mean it’s restoring them.
#5: I Can Stop Anytime
Maybe you can. I wasn’t able to.
That doesn’t make you weak, but it does mean it’s doing more work in your life than you think.
A better question is: Have you tried to take a break from drinking?
If the idea of not drinking for 30 days (or during a specific event) feels really uncomfortable, that discomfort might be telling you something.
Awareness is Key
I’m not anti-alcohol. It can be fine for some people.
If moderation worked for me, I probably would still be drinking.
What’s important is awareness. Is it actually adding something to your life?
Real relief doesn’t require a hangover.
If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your experience. Have you noticed any of these patterns in your own life? Drop a comment below — your perspective might help someone else see their own more clearly.