Psychology of Drunk Texting
How many times have you woken up to a phone filled with messages you can barely remember sending? Cue the embarrassment and regret of drunk texting. It’s a common problem that many of us have faced, but it doesn’t have to be. In this article, we will explore the psychology behind drunk texting, reasons why we do it, and most importantly, preventative measures you can take to avoid it.
Alcohol has the power to lower our inhibitions, meaning we’re more likely to engage in risky behavior and act impulsively. This can result in making poor decisions like sending drunk texts.
When we drink, our capacity to regulate behavior is impaired, contributing to the reasons why we might act on impulses. Research shows that our decision making is also affected by alcohol intake.
A study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that as the consumption of alcohol increases, our ability to make sound decisions decreases. This means that we’re more likely to carry out an action with less thought, like sending that embarrassing text message.
Reasons Behind Drunk Texting
Drunk texting can come from all sorts of emotions and situations. It may be a form of entertainment or an attempt to hook up with someone.
Other times, it’s due to lowered inhibitions and recklessness. In any case, the reasoning behind drunk texting can vary widely.
It is essential to understand why we feel the urge to do this and address it at the root level. Sometimes, those drunk texts are not so far off from our sober thoughts, and they reflect our intentions.
While alcohol may increase our impulsivity, it does not necessarily eliminate well-entrenched ideas or thoughts that we have when sober. If you find that you consistently send the same messages when drinking, another way to prevent yourself from sending them may be to reflect on why these are recurring thoughts.
Tricks to Stop Drunk Texting
Of course, the best way to avoid sending intoxicated messages is to avoid alcohol altogether. However, we often don’t plan to get in these situations and want to have a good time with friends.
Practical Tricks
- Find your sober friend: Let a friend know ahead of time that you’ll be drinking and ask them to be responsible for keeping your phone away from you.
- Block callers: If there is someone that you know you become susceptible to texting, try blocking their number or putting it on “Do Not Disturb” so that you can’t be reached while drinking.
- Leave your phone at home: For those worried about lost phones or texting people impulsively after a few drinks, try leaving your phone at home or locked away in a secure location.
- Pre-type responses: If you find that messaging someone when drinking is a habit, type out a response to save in your drafts. This way, you won’t end up with a regrettable message after drinking.
- Block your own number: If you don’t want to block an individual, try blocking your own number. It will serve as a reminder that texting is not something you want to do (at least until you sober up).
- Change language settings: Change your phone’s language settings to one you don’t know or use, making it more challenging to read and communicate effectively.
- Avoid drinking when upset: Drinking can be a way to cope with hard life moments, but it can also lead to drunk texting. Try to avoid drinking when already emotionally compromised.
- Change contact info: Another way to help with the temptation to drunk text is to delete frequently messaged peoples contacts. Well-known contacts can lead to drunken messages, mostly if they are currently at the forefront of a person’s thoughts.
- Seeking group consensus: Trying to avoid drunk texting when with a group of friends can be a tough challenge. Discussing the issue with your group of friends and making sure everyone is on board with helping out can be helpful.
Addressing a Drinking Problem
Drinking heavily on occasion can be normal. However, creating a habit of drunk texting can result in underlying issues with alcohol use.
If you find it challenging to control your alcohol intake and aspects of your life, such as drunk texting, suffer, it may be time to seek help. Talking to a professional or someone who understands the complexities of addiction can provide valuable insights to aid in recovery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, drunk texting can be a funny story to tell or a regrettable moment in your past. Understanding the reasons for such actions is the first step to staying aware and moving forward.
Remember that it’s okay to have fun with our friends, but responsibility and proper decision making are key. With the tips above to avoid sending that intoxicated message and addressing alcohol use, you too can avoid those unnecessary text messages the next time you drink.
In summary, drunk texting is a prevalent issue that stems from the impaired decision-making process alcohol causes. Consequently, people send regrettable messages that can damage their relationships and overall image.
However, it is significant to understand the root causes of drunk texting, such as lowered inhibitions and recklessness, so that you can effectively come up with preventative measures like finding a sober friend before a drinking session, blocking phone numbers, leaving your phone at home, or even changing language settings.
Rather than embracing drunk texting, it’s essential to recognize the risk and implications of such actions and incorporate safe practices while drinking. Taking these steps will not only help avoid awkward conversations but will also ensure proper communication and long-term relationships with those you care about.
