Trying to find "happiness" or "feel good" highs through the wrong sources of dopamine. Part 1: Alcohol

As I continue my research, and my work in Positive Psychology and Character Strengths at Instituto Europeo de Psicologia Positiva - IEPP , finalising the last adjustments to my introductory video as Expert on Positive Psychology and Character Strengths before I resume my studies in the speciality as a coach, video that I will also publish here soon, I would like to address first and foremost here for you all, the LinkedIn and LinkedIn for Learning community, some of the issues that have concerned me the most throughout my life experience, and it's that many people in their youths, and influenced by peer pressure and societal constant consumption messages that we are exposed to in our hyperconnected society, get introduced far too soon to socially-acceptable substances like alcohol and tobacco (and other stuff) as forms to have fun, feel that they belong to the group, and a sense that they are now starting to do "adult things". In the teenage years, a very delicate age of neural pruning and re-structuring to adjust to the corporal and hormonal growth bodily processes, marked by insecurities, novelty, and experimentation of what the world actually is, it is extremely harmful that the young generations seek the thrills, or even form sub-cultures, around the consumption of toxic substances that might impact very negatively their neural growth and even physical development process. I will write more entries in the following days about tobacco and other incorrect, yet unfortunately normalised forms of addictive and detrimental behaviours as not-so-healthy forms to get dopamine, but today I wanted to write about the one that personally worries me the most as an educator: alcohol.

The social issue we endure as a society with alcohol is puzzling and paradoxical: it is the most normalised toxic substance we consume openly both at home and in the streets, at family gatherings and celebrations, at pubs, bars and restaurants, even at other cultural or social events, there is always some alcohol being offered to the consumers that have reached the adult age as a form of hospitality. On the other hand, experts say that it is also the most detrimental substance we can expose our bodies and brains to. The following article, written by Kate Kelland for Reuters, is just one of many that underline the same evidence:

Kelland, K. (01/11/2010). "Drug experts say alcohol worse than crack and heroin". Reuters.

The follower dossier issued by the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, titled "Alcohol and Crime", clearly states through graphics to what an extent the involvement of alcohol is more prevalent in all sorts of criminal actions, above any other substances or drugs. Page iii of the Foreword states:

Based on this compilation and new analysis of data on alcohol and crime, we know that nearly 4 in 10 violent victimizations involve use of alcohol, about 4 in 10 fatal motor vehicle accidents are alcohol-involved; and about 4 in 10 offenders, regardless of whether they are on probation, in local jail, or in State prison, self-report that they were using alcohol at the time of the offense.

Office of Justice Programs. (04/28/1998). "Alcohol and Crime". U. S. Department of Justice.

Fortunately, most people are capable of drinking in moderation, and they know how to navigate this social custom with poise and keeping their control. But for the teenage brain, getting used to drinking as a form of leisure while in social gatherings is a larger issue, because of the neurological consequences of that practice that already makes them more liable to continue resorting to alcohol to "feel good" or "feel connected" well into their adult lives. At the same time, it makes them vulnerable to engage in situations related to their intimacy that they might regret later, even leading to trauma and the need for psychological and/or psychiatric assistance:

American Addictions Center. (23/01/2020). How does alcohol affect the teen brain? [Video].

Many people drink as a habit in several situations, to unwind after a long stressful day, in social situations, meeting some friends at a bar, during a romantic dinner, etc. But also there is a tendency for some people going through issues in their life to resort to drinking to "drown your problems in alcohol", because spirits produce, first, an euphoric effect, due to the powerful shoot of dopamine, and later, act as a sedative and anxiolytic. It is interesting to note that, as it critically affects the parts of the brain stucture related to memory, many people resort to drinking as a form of self-medication, trying to find solace in a substance that will numb their feelings and the thoughts that provoke them. Even in movies and other audio-visual materials we are exposed to in cinema, Netflix, etc., we see many characters drinking after a heartbreak, when losing their job, when feeling guilty or remorseful or, summing up, to desperately suppress any negative emotion that might be plaguing them at the moment. Perhaps one of the most representative and famous examples is featured in Casablanca (1942).

Ortsas. (14/07/2011). Casablanca (one of the best scenes). [Video].

Drinking has also become famous memes featuring celebrities that are very admired in the show industry, which helps to add "glamour" to the drinking habit, turning it into a synonym of wealth, success, power, of being attractively shady and mysterious, and having a well-deserved good time:

Joe Valvonline. (23/09/2020). The Great Gatsby Leonardo Di Caprio With a Glass of Champagne. [Video].

That Meme Moment. (05/09/2020). Leonardo DiCaprio Laughing | Meme Origin | Django Unchained (2012). [Video].

But despite what our globalised culture might spread right and left, up and down about the coolness of alcohol consumption, the fact is that there is nothing glamorous, at all, to resort to alcohol to feel good even in social situations where everybody else is drinking. I am a lucky person because I really can't stand alcohol by default, it sits super badly to my stomach, I don't like the dizzy feeling, and in general, I simply don't like it as a concept. When meeting new people or at parties, overall I try to stay far from drunk people. I know they're out of control, they smell awfully, they look terribly wasted and who knows if about to get sick, and they become unable to think nor speak rationally, all of those traits that I do not consider attractive at all, neither in a partner, nor in a friend or acquaintance. Alcoholism is not an attractive trait, it seriously harms your health and even wealth and work performance in many different senses. In the long run, it shinks your white and grey matter and kills tons of neural connections, lowering your cognition skills (making you "dumb"), it makes you weak and dependent on others, turns into crippling health issues in the long run, and makes you prone to destructive and self-destructive behaviours. Even worse is when you drink as a habit and take the car, or when you are in a profession that required optimal state of your mood, cognitive skills and reactions, like being in charge of elderly people, sick people, or children. Alcohol consumption, when it has become a problem, makes it crucially more challenging to keep a respectable image and position, or to be considered as someone responsible, sane, safe, morally and psychologically well-equipped for accomplishing mature tasks and reliable. These are the truths that don't appear as much in the movies.

There is help though. Many people have fallen prey to the trap of alcoholism as a form to cope with the frustrations of their daily life, but have had the capacity to say no more. The following video, featuring many stars from the movie and music industry, boldly expressing their testimony, gives accurate and crucial information about what alcohol really is about, giving as well hope that yes, one can get out of that:

Sober Leon. (19/11/2023). Why you need to quit alcohol (Jordan Peterson will leave you speechless). [Video].

Truth be told, in spite of the illusions of glamour and fun-having, even wealth-squandering that are so broadcast on TV shows, films, pop culture in general, and social media, the actual truth about being an alcoholic, in the long run, looks rather like this:

Arthur Cauty. (01/10/2016). An Interview with my Alcoholic Uncle | a short film by Arthur Cauty. [Video].

Fortunately, this gentleman got better in the second part of this interview, 10 years later, at least engaged in healthier forms of sublimation and expression of his bottled emotions, like painting and artistic creation; but he still has to resort to a substance to cope, in this case cigarettes. Sadly enough, an addictive personality, particularly when you have already reached a certain age, might be very hard to re-educate:

Arthur Cauty. (07/01/2024). An Interview with my Alcoholic Uncle | PART 2 | 10 Years Later... [Video].

I know this post is controversial, but I also think that this message is important to spread, no matter what. As educators, it is crucial to be well-equipped to be a good role model for the students and teach them that alcohol doesn't make you look cool or grown-up or glamorous or like a baddie. It rather makes you lose control during the moments you need the alertness of your critical thinking skills the most, like in parties surrounded by people who you don't know or know very little, and exposes you to situations that you might regret forever later in life, as well as deteriorating your health and the quality of your work and relationships dramatically in the long run, accumulating memories of regret after regret after regret. There are much more effective and better ways to get dopamine, which I will be writing about in my next posts. And actually, keeping your cool at a bar looks cool, and asking for a soda when going out with friends makes you look a tad subversive against the norms, it shows personality and control, and that is attractive.

Being fully healthy, in a positive mood, and charmingly "swag" when being with others always makes you look better, more full-grown, more reliable, more strong mentally and emotionally, more suitable for any position of responsibility and more genuine in front of good quality people, and that's a crucial requirement for anyone whose profession requires being a good model, like an educator or a speaker. It's a sign of personal development, respect to others, and self-respect.

I hope this information has made you reflect about this crucial issue in our current society. In the following posts, I will develop this topic further, providing much better alternatives to get good sweet dopamine, the healthy type, based on Positive Psychology and Character Strengths. Thank you for reading it all!

Warm regards,

María Concepción Pomar.