April Fools Rules for Drinking

Source: "drink alcohol abandoned" r.nial.bradshaw is marked with CC BY 2.0.

This is a good time of year to explore one of the symptoms of an alcohol problem or Alcohol Use Disorder—individuals making “rules” around their drinking. These rules may offer a person a false sense of security that their drinking is under control. The origin of many of these rules is from the societal stereotypes about alcoholism and the belief that if one does not exhibit the behaviors or image of the “typical alcoholic” then he or she must not have a problem—sadly this stereotype has been a powerful influence on the minimization of alcohol problems in our society.

It is important to describe some of these “Fools' Rules,” so that individuals can be honest with themselves about their relationship to alcohol:

1. I always drink socially and don’t drink alone
2. I don't drink in the morning
3. I'm drinking by choice, not because I have to
4. I only binge on the weekends, I don't drink during the week
5. I can sometimes control the quantity I drink
6. I can take breaks from drinking (i.e., a week, a month, etc,)
7. I drink the same amount as my friends
8. I'm a connoisseur of fine wines, champagne, and craft beers
9. I'm only hurting myself, not my loved ones
10. I do well at work or academically therefore, I don't have a problem
11. I have never had a blackout or passed out from drinking
12. I never miss obligations due to my drinking or hangovers
13. I never drink and drive (but I have ways to get home safely)
14. I drink for fun and not to “self-medicate”
15. It’s been a stressful time so I deserve to drink a lot

Some of these rules are also myths that many believe and use as a way to assure themselves and others that they do not have a problem. The bad news is that they may create a false sense of security, because those with Alcohol Use Disorders may not be daily drinkers, may only drink socially, may be able to take breaks from drinking, may only drink expensive liquor, and may be successful personally and professionally.

Over time, the belief in these rules can be the justification that individuals use when defending their drinking habits to others. Individuals “hang on” to the fact that they have some parameters which lead them to believe that their drinking is under control. The saying, “if you have to control something then it is out of control,” sums this point up. Additionally, rules may be set and then may get broken on occasion or regularly, leading the rules to change. This is referred to as “drawing lines in the sand” that are crossed and then recreated. This behavior is a clear sign that an individual has some type of drinking problem and should have an assessment with an addiction specialist. Creating rules for drinking and breaking and/or changing them can be an important process in determining if we have an alcohol problem.

The NIAAA Website RethinkingDrinking.org is a resource that can support individuals in assessing their drinking patterns, creating low-risk drinking goals, and assessing if participants are consistently adhering to them. If you or someone you know may be questioning their drinking, then it is important to reach out for support from an addiction therapist before the issue progresses.

To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.