Alcohol is a common part of social life, but for some people (especially in the UK), it becomes a crutch or even an addiction.
When someone’s drinking habits start to become excessive, they often find ways to justify their behaviour so that they don’t have to confront the fact that the amount of alcohol they’re having is unhealthy and potentially destructive. They’ll grasp at straws and even make up excuses just to avoid admitting that they have a problem. Here are some of the things they tend to say — a few of these might sound familiar.
1. “I’ve had a hard day, I deserve it.”
One of the most common justifications for drinking is using stress or frustration as an excuse. When someone feels overwhelmed, they might reach for a drink to unwind. While it’s normal to want a little relaxation after a tough day, using alcohol as a coping mechanism can be problematic over time.
2. “It’s just a social thing.”
For many, drinking is tied to social situations, and this is often used to downplay the habit. When someone says this, they might be suggesting that their drinking isn’t a problem because it’s just part of a fun night out with friends. However, it can easily become a way to justify regular drinking, even when it starts to affect other areas of life.
3. “Everyone else is doing it.”
Peer pressure plays a big role in drinking habits, and when someone uses this excuse, they’re deflecting responsibility for their own choices. They might use the idea that “everyone else is drinking” as a way to justify their own behaviour, even though it’s not a healthy or responsible choice.
4. “It’s the weekend, I can relax.”
Using the weekend as an excuse to drink excessively is another common justification. They might believe that only weekends give them permission to let loose and drink more than usual. However, regular heavy drinking can become a problem regardless of when it happens.
5. “I need it to relax.”
While a drink can temporarily take the edge off, relying on alcohol to relax can indicate an unhealthy relationship with drinking. If they say this a lot, it might suggest they don’t have other ways to de-stress or unwind, which can lead to dependency over time.
6. “It’s part of my routine.”
When drinking becomes a regular part of someone’s routine, they might see it as just another normal activity. This justification downplays the potential risks of drinking too much and makes it seem like it’s just something that naturally fits into their day, even if it’s affecting their health or relationships.
7. “I’m not an alcoholic.”
Someone might use this to deny any serious issues with their drinking habits. Just because someone isn’t struggling with full-blown alcoholism doesn’t mean their drinking isn’t problematic. It often comes from a place of denial, where they try to distance themselves from the label of “alcoholic” to avoid confronting the issue.
8. “I’ve got a high tolerance.”
Source: Pexels People with a high tolerance to alcohol might use this as an excuse to justify drinking larger quantities. While it might seem harmless, building a high tolerance can mask the negative effects of drinking, and it often leads to drinking even more to feel the same effects.
9. “I’m just having a few.”
Source: Unsplash When someone says they’re “just having a few,” they might be downplaying how much they’ve actually drunk. It can be a way to justify excessive drinking by making it seem more moderate than it really is. It’s a form of self-deception that makes it easier to ignore the problem.
10. “I’ve been doing this for years, so it’s fine.”
Source: Unsplash Some people justify their drinking habits by pointing to the length of time they’ve been drinking. Just because a person has been drinking for years doesn’t mean it’s healthy or sustainable. Over time, drinking can have cumulative negative effects on health, even if it has been going on for a long time.
11. “I only drink on special occasions.”
Source: Unsplash People often say this when they’re trying to defend their drinking habits, suggesting that their consumption is limited to specific events. However, “special occasions” can quickly become more frequent than expected, and this justification can lead to regular drinking under the guise of occasional indulgence.
12. “I’m just drinking to have fun.”
Source: Unsplash Some may use the idea of having fun to justify their drinking, thinking that alcohol is essential for enjoyment. While drinking can be part of a good time for some people, using alcohol as the sole source of enjoyment can be a slippery slope, especially if it becomes a crutch to feel good in social situations.
13. “I’m just being social.”
Source: Unsplash This is another common justification when drinking is part of a group setting. People who say this might feel the need to drink in order to fit in or be part of the group. While it’s natural to want to connect with people, relying on alcohol to be social can be a sign of dependency.
14. “I don’t drink that much.”
Source: Unsplash People often say this to reassure themselves or other people that their drinking isn’t excessive. The problem with this justification is that it depends on what “that much” means. It’s easy to underestimate how much you’re drinking, especially if you don’t keep track of your habits or the effects alcohol is having on your body.
