'Drunk You' Is Just 'Real You,' Stop Hiding Behind Your Alcohol

According To Research, 'Drunk You' Is Just 'Real You,' So Stop Hiding Behind A Glass Of Alcohol

No more hiding behind that glass of wine.

Morgan Lyle
Morgan Lyle Mar 19, 2019
128
views

As a college student, stories that begin with "Oh, last weekend, when I was super drunk..." or "Yeah, I don't remember doing that..." are common. There's this idea that has been perpetuated by these stories that we act ENTIRELY different when we are intoxicated. In fact, someone who claims they don't act differently is the odd man out. But where did this idea come from? Do we actually act differently when we are drunk? Are we a "truer" or "more realistic" version of ourselves?

The truth, honestly, is underwhelming. Based on a recent study conducted at Purdue University and the University of Missouri, your sober self is not much different from your drunk self. The study took 156 participants and gave them a survey two weeks before the experiment began. In this survey, they asked the participants to attribute certain personality traits with either their drunk-self or sober-self. Then, on the day of the experiment, half of the group was given Sprite and vodka while the other half was given just Sprite. Both groups were asked to complete a series of tasks and were then judged by sober observers.

The results of this experiment were surprising to both the observers and the participants. The intoxicated participants claimed they were more open and less contentious and agreeable, but the observers claimed they showed little difference from the sober participants.

So it seems, really, that our perception of ourselves when we are drunk is different than how we are actually acting. Either that or when we are sober, we fail to see certain aspects of our personalities that become apparent when we are intoxicated. Either way, it's interesting to learn that our sober-self and drunk-self are so closely related.

In some ways, I think this idea is freeing. A lot of people claim alcohol gives them courage. Allows them to talk to people they wouldn't normally talk to or dance like no one is watching or let their hair down and just take a minute to enjoy life. Well if you think about it if this study has really proven that sober-you and drunk-you are one and the same, then why can't you be like that all the time?

You don't need alcohol to be courageous, or outspoken. You don't need a shot just to dance in your living room for fun or let your stress fade away. The ability to be carefree, kind, free-spirited, and happy... to be talkative and funny... it's always there. Always a part of your personality. So don't be afraid to let the real you shine through even when you're sober.

Morgan Lyle
Morgan Lyle Mar 19, 2019
At James Madison

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8 Reasons Girls Who Love Tequila Are Better

Because if she can handle tequila, she can handle you too.
Madison Chaney
Madison Chaney Sep 24, 2017
339392
views

There are all kinds of alcohol stereotypes out there but the one associated with tequila is probably the worst: tequila makes you crazy. But if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that women who drink tequila are one-of-a-kind.

Whether it's loving or fighting, you'll never find anyone who does it better than a girl who just straight up loves tequila, and here are a few reasons why that is.

1. She's independent

A girl who drinks tequila is probably the same girl who has absolutely no problem telling it like it is. She knows what she wants and goes after it.

2. She doesn't care what you or anyone else thinks

Oh, you have a problem with me taking shots and having a good time? Well, get over it! Bartender, a shot with salt and a lime please!

3. Always dancing

Tequila is an 'upper' so instead of sitting at the bar doing nothing, let's dance! Let's get moving!

4. There is never a dull moment

Speaking of dancing, a girl who drinks tequila is always down for a good time. Whether it's going on an adventure or seeing who can take the most shots, a tequila girl is always down to party.

5. While everyone else is starting to get sleepy, she has all the energy

Like I said, tequila is an 'upper' so while the other girls at the bar are starting to feel groggy and sad, she's all over the place having fun and partying on the dancefloor.

6. She's stronger than the girl crying over a vodka cranberry at the bar.

Sad over a breakup? Don't go for the vodka... Tequila will make you feel better in no time! Plus you can challenge the hot guys at the bar to a shot taking contest.

7. Tequila is healthy for you

Tequila is a probiotic, so some tequila a day keeps the doctor away. Yay for shots!

8. She can hold her own when it comes to alcohol

Any girl who can shoot some shots at the bar all day and night can handle alcohol, which means she can handle herself too. You won't have to deal with her constant breakdowns and mood swings because she will be too busy ordering more shots.

Cover Image Credit: Whiskey Riff
Madison Chaney
Madison Chaney Sep 24, 2017
At College of Charleston
At College of Charleston

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Out Of All The Souvenirs, The One Thing I Wish I Could Bring Home From Australia Is The Drinking Age

Australia and the US are similar in almost every way; the exception is the drinking age.

kyliefinkbone
kyliefinkbone Jun 3, 2019
284
views
This past weekend I attended a wine tour throughout Hunter Valley in Sydney. On this excursion, our tour guide, acknowledging that we were Americans, shared some interesting insights with me that I would like to share with all of you. Here's some food for thought:

From the age of 18, you can do everything a 21-year-old can do, except drink legally in the US. At 18 you are legally an adult. You can get married, serve in the military and be tried in court. Although, apparently at 18 you are incapable of acting like an adult when it comes to alcohol. This causes a lack of respect for the law, along with the problem of binge drinking. By the time 21 rolls around, you have probably already been drinking for years and feel as though you don't need to be taught how to drink. The real problem isn't necessarily the drinking age, it's the mindset that comes with being an adult for three full years without the full rights.

Alcohol has always been a concern for many countries while being an afterthought for others. Most everywhere else in the world does it right when it comes to the drinking age, and the US should follow suit. The reason it was changed in the first place was to reduce the number of alcohol-related fatalities. This has been proven to be unsuccessful. In 2002, twice as many 21 year-olds died in alcohol-related auto accidents as 18 year-olds. Such a staggering statistic speaks volumes: a policy that claims to be saving thousands of each year may simply be re-distributing deaths over the life cycle to the point at which it becomes legal to drink alcohol—age 21. So what now? Should the US raise the drinking age another couple of years now that 21 year-olds are also unable to handle themselves as adults when it comes to alcohol? No.

If the legal drinking age in the US was lowered, it would cause people to learn how to be responsible drinkers. After chatting with locals, who were astonished by the fact that we could drink here but not in our own country, I have come to the conclusion that the U.S. is wrong. This lower drinking age allows for all the "crazy" drinking to take place while in university. This ensures that by the time you graduate, you have your stuff together and that healthy and ideal balance between work and play that Australians have seemed to master so well.

kyliefinkbone
kyliefinkbone Jun 3, 2019
At University of Florida

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