While alcohol can make people talk more than usual, it isn’t necessarily a truth serum. Learn about the effects of alcohol on the brain
You may have noticed that for some people, drinking a few too many alcoholic beverages can cause them to talk more than usual.
But that doesn’t mean that alcohol is a truth serum, or that everything that comes out of a drunk person’s mouth is true.
Why do people talk so much when they drink?
Alcohol can cause complex reactions inside your brain, reducing your inhibitions and impairing your cognitive control:
- Alcohol affects the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain and the central nervous system, most noticeably affecting motor control, inhibition, and the risk or reward system.
- Alcohol overloads working memory, impairs judgment, and affects social rationalization or the ability to tell whether something is socially acceptable.
The result is that when people drink too much, they may share personal information or secrets they may not otherwise share. Or they may respond quickly without really thinking and say whatever is on their minds.
Can drunk people lie?
Just because someone’s inhibitions are lowered and judgment is shaky, however, doesn’t mean that they’re always telling the truth. Alcohol can also make people fabricate stories, respond with emotions they don’t really feel, and otherwise simply react based on whatever they are feeling in that moment. That’s why context is key in determining whether a drunk person means what they say.
For example, heartfelt emotions may be genuine because someone who is drunk will likely lack the skills to be deceitful. However, anger or negativity may not necessarily be rooted in truth, since an intoxicated brain may use anything it can, including lying, to defend against perceived attackers. Intoxicated individuals are more likely to respond emotionally in social situations due toinhibited emotional processing.
Why is excessive alcohol harmful?
Alcohol contains several toxic elements that can cause temporary euphoria but are harmful to the human body. This is especially true when someone becomes dependent on alcohol. When they try to stop or reduce their drinking frequency, they may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Psychologists and counselors often utilize the severity of withdrawal to help determine the severity of alcohol dependence. Symptoms can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Higher than normal blood pressure
In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, hallucinations, and even death.
What is alcohol detox?
Detox involves taking a short course of medicines (most often chlordiazepoxide) that prevent withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol.
Chlordiazepoxide belongs to a benzodiazepine group of medicine. Other possible medications that are used include diazepam and antipsychotic medicines (olanzapine and haloperidol). However, antipsychotics should only be used in addition to benzodiazepines and not by themselves if alcohol withdrawal symptoms are severe.
How is alcohol addiction treated?
No matter how minor or severe an alcohol addiction is, different treatment programs offer methods that can help someone overcome a dependency. Some treatment options include:
- Inpatient treatment: Provides a safe and supervised environment where you can stay during treatment, and offers round-the-clock care that typically lasts from 30-90 days.
- Outpatient treatment: Allows you to carry on with daily life while in recovery, and may be suitable if your dependency is less severe and you are less likely to give into situations that may tempt you to drink.
- Medication-assisted therapy: Provided to help you deal with the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal so that you can focus on other aspects of your recovery.
- Individual counseling: Offers support, investigates underlying factors that may have influenced your addiction, and guides you in addressing and overcoming them.
- Support groups: Provides a safe space to discuss your treatment goals and challenges with others in recovery (examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as AA or Al-Anon).
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References
Penn State. Is Alcohol Really A Truth Serum? https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa14/2014/09/17/is-alcohol-really-a-truth-serum/
Gateway Foundation. Is Alcohol Really a Type of “Truth Serum? https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/addiction-blog/alcohol-truth-serum/
Miller L. Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms, Treatment, and Timeline. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/alcohol
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