Dr. Ingrid Mathieu discusses the top myths about drinking alcohol. She addresses six common myths: 1) You cannot sober up quickly by taking a shower or drinking coffee, it takes time for the body to process alcohol. 2) Eating before drinking does not prevent getting drunk, it only delays alcohol absorption. 3) The saying about drinking beer then liquor or vice versa determining intoxication is false - your blood alcohol content is what matters. 4) Alcoholics come from all backgrounds, not just homeless men, and many function well but are still at risk. 5) Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant, and does not inherently make one happy. 6) There are different types of alcoholism - some drink

1. Transcript Video:Top Myths About Drinking Alcohol
Hello, I am Dr. Ingrid Mathieu, I am a clinical psychologist. And today
we will be discussing the top myths about drinking alcohol for
About.com.
There are several myths related to drinking alcohol and today we are
going to separate the myth from reality.
Drinking Myth #1:
If I need to, I can sober up quickly.
Fact: If you think that taking a shower or drinking lots of coffee will help
you sober up - think again. Black coffee and cold showers only
produce wide-awake drunks. The only thing that will aid in your
recovery is time. Depending on your weight, it takes about three hours
to eliminate every two drinks from your system.
Drinking Myth #2:
I only got drunk because I didn’t eat a very big dinner.
Here’s the fact: Eating before you drink does not defend against
getting drunk. Drinking on a full stomach will only delay the absorption
of alcohol into the bloodstream, it will not prevent it.
Drinking Myth #3:
Beer before liquor, you’ve never been sicker … Liquor before beer, you
are in the clear.
Fact: This old saying is often used to explain why people get sick
when they drink - but it’s your blood alcohol content determines how
intoxicated you become and drinking too much of any combination of
alcohol can make someone sick.
Drinking Myth #4:

2. Alcoholics are old, homeless men who drink from paper bags.
Fact: Alcoholics are men and women, young and old. In fact, young
adults comprise the largest group of alcoholics in the US. Some
alcoholics drink only the finest wines and many alcoholics are able to
hold down jobs, get through school, and provide for their families.
Some alcoholics are quite successful, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t
putting themselves and others at great risk from their drinking.
Drinking Myth #5:
Alcohol is a stimulant and therefore makes me happy.
The fact is that alcohol is a depressant, which sedates the central
nervous system rather than stimulating it.
Drinking Myth #6:
Alcoholics drink every day.
The truth is there are many faces of alcoholism. Some alcoholics drink
daily, some drink on weekends, some drink only in binges that take
place sporadically. The measures of alcoholism involve not when or
how often one drinks, but whether or not one can control the drinking
once it begins and the persistence of drinking in adverse
consequences.
This is Dr. Ingrid Mathieu and we’ve been discussing the top myths
about alcoholism for About.com. Thanksforwatching.