Which type of drinker are you?

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6 yrs ago

man drinking alcohol

The motivational model of alcohol use was developed to pinpoint the reasons people drink, in order to encourage them to drink less, if need be.

There are four distinct categories of drinking motives, all with varying degrees. They are:

enhancement (because it’s exciting)
coping (to forget about my worries)
social (to celebrate)
to conform (to fit in).

Here's a breakdown, according to The Conversation:

1. Social Drinking
Social drinking may be about increasing the amount of fun you are having with your friends. This fits in with the idea that drinking is mainly a social pastime. Drinking for social motives is associated with moderate alcohol use.

2. Drinking to conform
When people only drink on social occasions because they want to fit in — not because it’s a choice they would normally make — they drink less than those who drink mainly for other reasons.

3. Drinking for enhancement
Beyond simply drinking to socialise, are those who drink for enhancement motives. They are more likely to be extroverted, impulsive, aggressive and have a risk-taking personality.

4. Drinking to cope
Those who drink mainly for coping motives have higher levels of neuroticism, low level of agreeableness and a negative view of the self. These drinkers may be using alcohol to cope with other problems in their life, particularly those related to anxiety and depression.

While it may be effective in the short term, drinking to cope with problems leads to worse long-term consequences. This may be because the problems that led to the drinking in the first place are not being addressed.

Which type of drinker are you?

8 comments

ex PS

6 yrs ago

I just like to sit down relax and have a couple of double malts cheap reds from time to time. I have no other reason than I like the taste and that time to enjoy the peare and quiet, if I have a cigar at the same time even better.

I am not breaking any laws and I do not get aggressive when I do this, why should I have to justify myself or put myself into some meaningless group. I do not fit into any of the catagories mentioned and doubt if many people on this site do. I think the original author was looking at a much less mature demographic.

Adrianus

6 yrs ago

I can relate to that exPS. I think a red actually enhances to taste of a meal. Likewise an ice cold beer after a hard days work allows for a moment of reflection as you give yourself and others a pat on the back for a job well done.

Sen.Cit.90

6 yrs ago

yes ex PS I too sit and enjoy a couple of drinks in the evening after dinner; except for the cigar :-) (quit 1969), the rest of your comments I agree with.

Troubadour

6 yrs ago

We do not fit any of these groups- we just have a bottle of wine occasionally just to relax and enjoy, or sometimes a shandy - but only when we feel like it and that's usually once a fortnight or thereabouts - we do however share a bottle of wine with friends when they come to dinner or we go they visit them. None of us are heavy drnkers in any way.

Tib

6 yrs ago

What a load of garbage. I enjoy a glass of brandy before dinner and I enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner. Its nice to relax after a long day with a drink and it also helps with some of the aches and pains older people are inclined to get. I don't have a problem with alcohol but the people who wrote this list probably do.

Much has been said and written about the use and abuse of alcohol. What is never discussed is the subtle promotion of alcohol by the media. Watch any movie/telemovie/sitcom and you will note that alcohol plays a big part. If there is a reason to celebrate, alcohol is used as a part of the celebration; if there's been a hard day at work, alcohol is used to ease the pain; if there's a death in the family, alcohol is used to drown sorrows. Whatever the human condition, all of it is made better by the use of alcohol. Smoking, on the other hand, is rarely seen on our screens any more as it is deemed to be harmful. Isn't excessive use of alcohol harmful?

Incognito

6 yrs ago

Yes and each generation grow up to think it is normal and yet the process to make alcohol has changed with more chemicals, therefor more violence is being seen by those who drink in excess.

Incognito

6 yrs ago

I gave up 18 years ago and never looked back. I now view all the drinking culture with different eyes and it amazes me that some people use it as an excuse to act differently. I really hate the violence that is caused by those overdoing it too. Very sad for children to see parents drunk as well. I am glad my son has not had that influence. It rots your liver slowly. and causes dementia.

Whoa back there a bit musicveg, alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is a brain disorder caused by regularly drinking too much alcohol over several years. The term ARBD covers several different conditions including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and alcoholic dementia. None of these is actually a dementia, but they may share similar symptoms.

Incognito

6 yrs ago

Well maybe not causes it but does contribute if you are a heavy drinker. Anyway there is no nutritional benefit, and don't say reversatol from wine as you only have to eat grapes. It does though make your liver work harder.

I enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner, not every day but I can go without if need be. Like a beer with the guys whenever I can, maybe that's social. Anyhow, it's when you hanker after something that's when you've got problems.

vinradio

6 yrs ago

I enjoy an occasional drink, usually like a coffee liqueur after a meal, as I can't really drink any acidic or carbonated wine/drinks.

PlanB

6 yrs ago

I don't drink at all and never have, except water and the odd cup of coffee.

I have nothing against people having a drink though.

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