No, alcohol is not suitable for hydration. When one is very hot or thirsty and feels the need to drink something, having alcohol will not be a good idea. A cold beer, a glass of wine, or a mixed drink with ice may be marketed to us as the great summer remedy to combat the heat and stay hydrated, but that is not true.
At CCAdicciones, we want to debunk this false myth related to alcohol consumption. It is essential to clarify these erroneous ideas and poor or malicious interpretations, as people must understand what drinking alcohol means and be aware that it contributes nothing positive, especially when the heat arrives. The solution for hydration will always be drinking water.
Why does alcohol dehydrate?
Many of the things said about alcohol—myths that can be heard countless times—are nothing more than an attempt to whitewash the serious problems that alcohol consumption can cause. Although there are attempts to minimize its risks, whether by individuals or a powerful industry behind them that does not want us to see the reality, at CCAdicciones we want to raise awareness about the importance of being very careful with alcoholic beverages.
Many people believe they are hydrating when consuming alcohol simply because it is a beverage, but… what actually happens when we drink alcohol? Although it may seem like we are consuming a liquid and that this is inherently positive, we must be aware of the dangers that alcohol entails. Alcohol is not suitable for hydration, among other reasons, because it is a diuretic.
Alcohol will make us sweat more and urinate more, and this will be dehydrating us. In the event that it causes vomiting, it will also leave the body even more exhausted. Furthermore, it is also noteworthy that alcohol causes an inability to regulate body temperature, which increases the chances of suffering from heatstroke. This is also exacerbated by the fact that we may stop worrying about our body if we believe we are already hydrating it.
Problems with drinking alcohol in summer
If drinking alcohol already causes health problems, behavioral changes, discomfort, or alcohol poisoning, alcohol consumption combined with summer heat also has its consequences. Additionally, remember that alcohol is not suitable for hydration. Below are some of the most serious problems associated with drinking alcohol during the summer:
- Dehydration accompanied by a false sense of being hydrated
- Sweat and urine cause us to lose even more water than we have in the body, thus dehydrating us faster
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Increased body heat. Alcohol is a vasodilator and will make us feel hotter than we might already feel due to the actual temperature.
- Suffering from heatstroke
- Drowning in water due to the lack of control, disorientation, and loss of lucidity that alcohol consumption can generate
As we can see, many of these problems could be avoided if we do not consume alcohol and if we take preventive measures to combat the heat. Some of these problems can be caused by alcohol and exacerbated by the heat, or vice versa. But what is evident is that the combination can be fatal and increase the chances of suffering from some of these issues.
Preventive measures against the heat
Alcohol is not suitable for hydration. One of the major keys to preventing heat-related issues is proper hydration. And we insist, proper hydration involves drinking plenty of water, and alcohol will never be recommended. It is advisable to drink between 2 and 2.5 liters of water a day, and this is something we must do without fail during the summer.
Other useful tips to better cope with the heat or survive hot days include:
- Staying in the shade
- Eating well
- Covering your head with a cap, hats, etc.
- Avoiding leaving the house during the hottest hours
- Applying sunscreen if exposed to the sun
- Reducing physical activity or doing it during cooler hours
- Resting well and trying to stay in cool or air-conditioned spaces
In case of suffering from heatstroke or feeling unwell due to high temperatures, seeking help from medical personnel will be the safest course of action. Remembering all these recommendations can be very positive for the prevention of these possible problems.
How can alcohol affect our health?
There are many problems derived from the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and these are some of the most serious we can suffer from:
- Alcoholic cirrhosis
- High blood pressure
- Gastritis
- Depression or other mental illnesses
- Liver and pancreatic diseases
- Accidents caused by consumption
Alcoholism treatment
At CCAdicciones, we perform various treatments to combat addiction to drugs, including the treatment for alcohol addiction. Alcoholism is one of the most common drug-related diseases, as it is one of the most consumed drugs, yet simultaneously one of the most accepted by a large part of society.
To treat this addiction, at CCAdicciones we conduct group therapies, individual therapies, sports therapies… all accompanied by the best professionals specialized in addictions. Patients who decide to enter one of the CCAdicciones centers will benefit from the best treatment methods, as well as professionals with a long career in this field. In fact, at CCAdicciones we have a recovery rate of 86%, a figure that demonstrates the effectiveness of our treatments.
Recovery at CCAdicciones
If you decide to take a step forward in your fight against addiction and decide to enter a CCAdicciones clinic, we can help you and you will begin the recovery process. Although it can be a complicated decision, in the case of addiction, admission and the attention and follow-up of professionals are always the best solution. Quitting the addiction on your own will be very difficult; the chances of relapse will increase, as will the risks of suffering from severe withdrawal syndromes, etc.
Contact us; we are here to help you. The first consultation is free because we want to help you take the first step. You can contact us by sending an email to contactosweb@ccadicciones.es, calling 977 809 523, or our 24-hour active line at 617 200 882. You can also fill out our form and send us your question or inquiry completely anonymously. We want to help you, and your recovery at CCAdicciones is our priority, so we want to make access as easy as possible so that you do not find any barriers in your process to start recovery.
