Exploring Common Questions About Alcohol

Answers to Your Alcohol-Related Queries

I recently conducted some research into the types of questions people commonly ask about alcohol on forums like Reddit and Quora.

Instead of presenting lengthy paragraphs, I have compiled my answers into 10 short YouTube videos.

See them below or visit and subscribe to my YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@sobertides

You can easily watch them on your phone or listen while using Carplay.

10 Common Questions Addressed

1. Am I drinking too much alcohol?:

   Coach Tony from Sobertides answers one of the most common questions people ask on the Internet "Am I drinking too much alcohol". Rather than talk at length about units of alcohol for men and women, like how much is too much to drink along with all the different health risks. Tony in turn asks a simple question in return. What is it that has led you to question your drinking? Is it a behaviour, is it a consequence? Are there drinking problem signs? Getting curious and looking into what's happening is one of the first steps in figuring out what drinking is or isn't doing for you.

2.  How long does it take for alcohol to leave your system?:

   Tony discusses a rough timeline of what the metabolic rate of alcohol is as processed by the liver after drinking and some of the reasons why it might vary so much between individuals. I then discuss what happens when a medium to heavy drinker removes alcohol from their life and how long does the alcohol stay in your system after your last drink. How long it takes for the various benefits to be realised once alcohol is stopped. A cautionary note for people who may be physically dependant on alcohol, roughly 10% of heavy drinkers need medical supervision. Withdrawal symptoms like tremors, hallucinations, racing heart are medical emergencies and medical advice should be sought if you suspect you are physically dependant on alcohol before trying to stop drinking.

3. What's the difference between “being drunk” and an alcoholic?:

   Tony explains the difference, one is a state of being "drunk" the other is a behavioural label. He also delves into what being "a drunk" and being "an alcoholic" is. Being drunk is not necessarily being addicted. Labels are not helpful and they scare a lot of people who might otherwise consider changing their relationship with alcohol. Why, because they don't want to be judged. Imagine someone asking you "Why you are giving up drinking, are you an alcoholic?" It has the potential to keep people stuck because of fear and judgement.

4. Does alcohol mess with your bones or body long term?:

   Tony discusses the negative effects of alcohol on health, particularly focusing on bone loss and overall body damage. He explains that alcohol can accelerate bone loss by interfering with calcium absorption and increasing urine output, leading to the loss of essential nutrients. Tony also highlights that alcohol can cause long term damage and is linked to various cancers, cognitive decline, heart problems, liver damage, and other health issues. He emphasizes that the more alcohol consumed and longer a person drinks, the greater the risk of experiencing these health problems.

5. Why does alcohol make me wired instead of sleepy? or does it make us sleepy first then wired?:

   Tony runs through the process of taking a drink and then what happens in the brain when the alcohol enters the bloodstream. The brain will release dopamine which can have stimulant-like effects, making us feel buzzy, euphoric or even wired. The brain recognises that the dopamine has been artificially increased and will release a dampener to counter act the dopamine, dynorphin. The BAC rises which starts to slow the brain function down, thinking slows down, eventually speech maybe slowed down. This is the depressive effect of the alcohol. Stimulants adrenaline and cortisol are released into the blood stream to keep the autonomous systems like breathing, circulation, digestion and so on functioning. They last a lot longer than the dopamine cycle. The stimulants can contribute to a wired feeling when they are present and the BAC has reduced. Unable to sleep, feeling wired, anxiety, over-thinking, ruminating are side effects of the stimulants.

6.  Why do people drink alcohol if it tastes bad?:

   Many of us say we drink alcohol for the taste but do we really? Our early experiences with alcohol when we were teenagers or young adults might not have been a happy occasion with many people saying that it was disgusting, it burnt, they spat it out pronto! But they persisted because of their friends, didn't want to be the odd one out, to fit in, feel grown up or sophisticated and so on. We tend to overlook the actual taste of ethanol, one; because its been heavily disguised and two; we have associative learning, where we have associated alcohol with relaxation, pleasure, connecting, fitting in, ritual and celebration. There so many reasons why people drink booze, regardless of the taste. Over time we can get to the point where we want the alcohol but we don't like what it does to us - the consequences of drinking. Wanting but not liking.. a little red flag!

7. How Do I Know If I Have a Drinking Problem?:

   Similar to "Am I drinking too much alcohol?" In this question Tony expands the topic further, He explores various fears associated with acknowledging a problem, such as the fear of losing alcohol, missing out, and being judged or labelled. Tony also outlines both obvious and subtle signs of a potential drinking problem, including behaviours like getting drunk at inappropriate times, memory blackouts, and health issues like weight gain and high blood pressure. He emphasized that recognizing these signs is a crucial first step toward addressing the issue.

8. How do people moderate drinking? (And Why It’s So Hard):

   Tony discusses the real challenges behind alcohol moderation—why it’s so bloody hard to stick with, and what’s actually going on beneath the surface. He breaks down practical strategies that can help, like setting limits, choosing lower-strength drinks, and carving out alcohol-free days and environments. While moderation might work for some, Tony explains why a longer break could be the better move for blokes who find themselves stuck in the same cycle. It’s not about rules—it’s about finding what truly works for you.

   
   

9. Why can some people take or leave booze while others can’t stop?:

   Tony discusses the spectrum of alcohol consumption behaviours, explaining that it's not about willpower or moral failing but rather brain wiring and subconscious conditioning. He describes how some people can take or leave alcohol while others become compulsive drinkers, with alcohol creating different levels of need and craving in the brain. Tony emphasizes that this is a human issue, noting that anyone has the potential to become addicted to alcohol depending on their position along the consumption spectrum.

   
   

10. How do I quit alcohol? (Without Making Life totally Miserable)?:

Thinking about how to quit drinking alcohol? In this video, Tony shares practical alcohol quitting strategies to help you take control and find what works best for you. Whether it’s going cold turkey, gradually cutting back on alcohol, trying alcohol-free challenges, or using tools like apps, meditation, and coaching — there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Tony also explains the dangers of alcohol withdrawal if you’re physically dependent and why it’s important to consult a doctor before quitting alcohol. He covers how hidden triggers and subconscious beliefs can sabotage progress, and why getting the right support can make quitting safer and easier. Finally, Tony talks about building an alcohol-free lifestyle — tracking your habits, improving sleep and mood, finding non-alcoholic alternatives, and creating new routines that last. The focus is on starting small, learning from setbacks, and treating yourself with patience and respect along the way.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy the videos and find the information helpful. Remember, you are not alone in your journey. If you have any questions or need support, don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for taking the time to explore these resources!