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Why Do We Drink Alcohol To Celebrate?

On the desire to escape

David Gray-Hammond

Jul 10

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I am 9 years sober from drug and alcohol addiction. There is a bizarre stereotype that people like myself, who have chosen a sober recovery, look down on people who choose to drink and take drugs. At least in my own case, this couldn't be further from the truth.
Substance use can be a relatively safe way of socialising and recovering from the stresses of day to day life. That is not to say it is risk free. Alcohol, and many drugs, can present a great risk for harm when used habitually or irresponsibly. It should be noted that a great deal of the harm that occurs can be found rooted in the criminalisation of substance use.
Debates on criminality aside, it occurs to me that there is a bizarre truth to the widespread use of alcohol in celebrations. It would seem that for many of us, drinking a substance that allows us to escape our sobriety is a prerequisite to being able to appreciate a celebration.
Why do humans need to escape themselves in order to have a good time?
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