"Want to meet up on Friday after work? Let’s catch up and relax, what do you say?" Often, phrases like this mask the consumption of alcohol in good company. But have you ever taken a moment to reflect on why we drink? Initially, it might seem like a harmless way to relax and strengthen social bonds. Yet, deeper and subconscious reasons can hide behind that glass or shot.

Drinking alcohol in moderation is generally acceptable in most societies. The real issue arises when the quantity consumed becomes excessive. Interestingly, many intelligent and strong individuals drink more than they intend. If you find yourself in this category, understanding the reasons behind your alcohol consumption can help you change your relationship with alcohol.

Dig into the core of your beliefs about alcohol. For instance, do you believe that a party isn’t really a party without alcohol? Do you think that alcohol can boost your confidence? This reflective exercise can shed light on the true nature of alcohol and its potential harm. It can lead to deeper self-awareness and, consequently, a decrease in your alcohol consumption. This allows you to uncover your true self beneath various external pressures and influences.

Society often promotes the idea that drinking should be enjoyable. From what we see at nightclubs, bars, or restaurants, it seems alcohol enhances social life, alleviates boredom, and relieves stress. As a result, even when people realize that alcohol takes more than it gives, they continue to drink. Moreover, children observe their parents enjoying moderate alcohol consumption during celebrations. From a young age, kids associate fun and relaxation with alcohol. As they grow older, the desire to try it intensifies, and due to neurological changes in the brain caused by alcohol, this can have consequences.

Alcohol consumption leads to neurological changes in the brain that provoke dependency. Thad A. Polk, a neuroscientist, professor, and author of *The Addictive Brain*, states an important thing. He says that neuroscience allows us to "look beyond the seemingly bizarre behavior of addicts and see what is going on inside their brain." Thanks to science, we can understand the impact of alcohol on the body and potentially change some drinking habits through numerous studies and analyses of their consequences.