Study: Could you be among the 575K South Carolina unhealthy ‘gray area drinkers?’
A good chunk of South Carolina might have a drinking problem.
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, it’s wine o’clock and it’s time for happy hour are phrases you’ve likely heard from a friend, colleague or family member more than once. And while those friends and loved ones might not be what many would consider diagnosable alcoholics, they could still fall into an unhealthy category known gray area drinkers.
And according to one new study, if you live in South Carolina, they or even you could be one of the 575,000 people who fit that category.
Though not an official diagnosis, those who fall under gray area drinkers might use alcohol in emotional or excessive ways, which can lead to problems in terms of mental health, relationships and work. However, for the person drinking, it can be difficult to acknowledge and accept that these drinking patterns have had a negative impact on their daily lives, a statement on the study reads.
While people are usually aware of the risks associated with alcohol dependence and or addiction, they are often unaware of the risks involved in any type of increase in their consumption. Some research shows that any sort of alcohol intake whatsoever can have harmful health effects, including an increased risk of alcohol poisoning, liver disease, heart disease and various types of cancer, as well as decreased brain function.
American Addiction Centers, a network of rehab facilities nationwide, conducted a survey of 3,704 people 21 years old and older about their drinking habits to determine how many would be classified as gray area drinkers. The survey uncovered that a significant percentage — 21% — of South Carolinians, would be considered gray area drinkers. This is approximately 575,000 people in South Carolina who sometimes drink alcohol excessively or emotionally, despite not having a severe alcohol use disorder.
The study also analyzed the results broken down by age and discovered that, overall, those between 25 and 34 years old had the highest percentage of gray area drinkers, with nearly 32% meeting the criteria. The second-highest percentage belonged to those between 35 and 44 years old, in which 25% would be classified as a gray area drinker, according to their drinking habits.
Drinking habits among young adults and college students are particularly notable in settings such as frat parties and other social gatherings where excessive consumption is normalized and oftentimes encouraged. Nearly 24% of those aged 18 – 24 would be classified as gray area drinkers. These figures decreased as the age groups increased in years:
— Age 45 – 54: 21% are gray area drinkers
— Age 55 – 64: 19% are gray area drinkers
— Age 65+: 11% are gray area drinkers
From the study, it also appears that a significant number of drinkers question their relationship with drinking when it comes to experiencing shame or embarrassment about their consumption habits. When asked if they experience any of these guilt-associated feelings, 16% of drinkers said they do feel this way about their drinking habits.
If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol and are unable to determine whether the number of drinks you’re having is a clear indicator of a problem, the following symptoms can help identify the warning signs of gray area drinking:
- Often drinking more alcohol than you initially intended:
Due to the addictive nature of the substance, those who are dependent might find it difficult to have just one or two drinks, leading them to have far more than they’d initially planned. This can lead to things like bad hangovers, an increased risk of alcohol poisoning and increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.
- You question your relationship with alcohol:
Perhaps you’re ashamed or guilty of the amount you drink or wonder whether those around you consume the same amount. Whatever it is, if you are questioning whether you have a dependency, it could be cause for concern.
- Your drinking patterns don’t appear problematic to those around you, even though you might be questioning them:
In fact, you might even know people who drink more than you do, therefore justifying your own habits by comparison. On the outside, it might seem like your drinking patterns don’t have an impact on your daily life, but it could just be that those around are engaging in similar patterns and don’t view them as problematic either.
- You’re unable to stop drinking and keep giving in when you try and cut down:
This can be a sign of a deeper-rooted and far more alarming issue that if not addressed or understood, could lead to more severe alcohol use disorder.
- Drinking every day and not being able to skip a day without alcohol:
This goes hand-in-hand with the above point. If you have a hard time cutting down on your intake, it could be a sign of a more serious dependency and lead to a significantly worse issue if not addressed correctly.
