Question Related To Alcohol And Personality..

[Simplexity]

was it well groomed. *ducks*

 

[prplchknz]

*gooses* yes it was.

 

[wolfy]

This is entirely based on a lifelong set of my own observations, so feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong but..

Why is it that incredibly introverted or socially anxious people are the most likely to avoid drinking alcohol?

I feel that engaging in such an activity is a good way for me to feel more comfortable in a situation that could potentially be awkward. I am surprised that many of the people who have the greatest problems with social situations are the ones that are usually so adamantly opposed to drinking it.

What are your thoughts?

In my life some of the biggest drinkers were most probably introverts. I really don't know if there is any correlation here.

I'm introverted and no matter how much I drink I always think before I speak. Maybe even more so. I drink because it's fun to drink with friends. Guys who get to all extroverted and carried away when drinking are just plain annoying.
I can forgive drunk girls.

I'm ISFP and my drinking buddy was ISTP I guess. It did get crazy sometimes. But just between friends.

Here's to the good old days.

 

[ygolo]

What is the point of socializing by getting buzzed or drunk? "Hey guys, want to come over and get smashed?" WTF?

I see nothing wrong with a few drinks while socializing--just like meeting for dinner, lunch, or a ball-game.

But what does getting slightly or a lot innebriated have to do with loosening up? I think simply being in the same place for a while is what does the loosening up. The occasion allows you to do so.

I don't think intoxication necessarily relaxes people. Inhibitions reduced doesn't always mean more relaxed.

 

[colmena]

It's a self-righteous thing. The need for intoxicants to be able to socialise suggests unideal anxieties whilst being clear headed. Being offered a drink is like a reminder that you're getting a patch. And no doubt if the drink is taken -- along with a few more -- you'll see those anxieties manifest, and in a less than ideal environment.

But I also agree with Jeffster, in that I don't like alcohol, and that it just shouldn't be worth it. Predicates societal displeasure; unadvised escapism etc.

^But then all the above is put in its place a few times a year when I have a couple of ciders and become, "lovely". 'though does make me wonder if I'd be more relaxed whilst sober if I knew no one is going to be hit by a drunk driver tonight.

/Fi rant

 

[mlittrell]

most alcoholics that i know (personally) are introverted (in many case SJ). just a personal observation.

 

[Sinister Scribe]

Because they hate the thought of loosing control? There's nothing more insane than a drunk introvert..

I've sworn off drinking alcohol for a number of reasons.

1. Like you said, there really aren't more insane things than drunk introverts... and I don't fancy myself being caught in long-term ENFP mode (which is what I tend to do when I'm exhausted or have caffeine). Don't get me wrong; I love my ENFP friends, but I don't want to be like you.

2. Only reason why I would consider drinking at all would be for social reasons. Since I'm obviously not social, why should I bother with this? I tend to care less what other people think of me and I'm not going to intoxicate myself with some substance in order to gain acceptance from people about whom I could care less.

3. I don't fancy the idea of becoming dependent on anything.

 

[Jack Flak]

Something to consider is that with regular chemical intoxicant use, your ability to experience elation without them is decreased. This is the angle I'm going for now, only using light stimulants such as caffeine.

 

[heart]

I avoid getting drunk because of what I've seen alcoholism and problem drinking do to the lives and health of people I loved.

I hate alcoholism. I try to avoid being around people when they are drunk. I admit this.

Online drukenness I'm okay with. For others, not myself.

 

[cascadeco]

This is entirely based on a lifelong set of my own observations, so feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong but..

Why is it that incredibly introverted or socially anxious people are the most likely to avoid drinking alcohol?

Well, in college I used alcohol to ease social anxiety and to try to blend in better with everyone. It did work.

But I also became concerned that I would eventually reach the point where I'd abuse it (in fact I was...I was a binge drinker of sorts), and when I realized what I was doing, I ceased drinking, at all, for about 4 months. After that, I made sure I only drank when I WAS comfortable with the people I was with and was in a good mood -- I avoided, and for the most part still avoid, using alcohol as a 'tool' to deal with social anxiety that I'd rather try to deal with without having to use it. And I never overdrink anymore. I'm also very careful now in assessing my motivation for drinking. (And really, I don't do it a whole lot anymore anyway.)

 

[swordpath]

Because they hate the thought of loosing control? There's nothing more insane than a drunk introvert..

I'm pretty tame as a drunk but that is being just drunk, not blacking out. I think that might be a different story.

I don't drink to that point though. The only time I did do that I woke up vomiting over the side of my bed. Fuck that.

 

[FDG]

If Eysenck's hypothesis on the source of the E/I divide is correct (namely, that introverts have a more sensitive nervous system than extraverts, in general terms), then perhaps introverts are less likely to drink alchool because they feel its effect more strongly.