Winter arrives, and with it, in many places, a sharp drop in temperatures. And that’s when we hear again the false myth that in cold countries or those with lower temperatures, we can use alcohol as a method to warm ourselves. But alcohol does not help combat the cold, and consuming it for this reason will not be useful. Although it may produce that false sensation temporarily, it is dangerous to believe it because it can be misleading and lead to serious consequences. With the arrival of cold weather, bad decisions should not follow.
Does alcohol help increase our temperature?
There are many false myths related to alcohol, and at CCAdicciones, we tirelessly debunk them to show the harsh reality that alcohol consumption can lead you to. The supposed benefits it has or that appear are often campaigns to whitewash its image, excuses to consume under an argument, but they are simply lies.
With the arrival of winter, more than one person might think they have a great idea by consuming alcohol to stay warm in very cold weather. However, alcohol does not help combat the cold; despite the feeling that consuming these drinks warms us, it is a false sensation of warmth.
Because alcohol is a vasodilator, we can genuinely feel that our body is warming up. When blood vessels dilate, blood flow increases and goes to the capillaries beneath the skin. This gives us a sensation of warmth and also causes our face to redden, which is a common sight in someone who has been drinking alcohol. However, in this way, we are making it easier for the cold to penetrate us, because the body’s self-defense against cold is for blood to go to vital organs, and alcohol does not help with this.
In fact, the opposite happens when a person consumes alcohol; that is, its vasodilating effect causes this self-defense system to diminish, and body temperature ends up decreasing. Therefore, by drinking alcohol, we are deactivating our protective mechanism and making it easier for our body temperature to actually drop. In addition to not helping, alcohol can cause us to start feeling very cold without noticing it, which exacerbates the problem.
Not only do we consume alcohol for a purpose we won’t achieve, but giving it a false additional value further encourages its consumption. And another thing, alcoholic beverages typically consumed to supposedly alleviate the effects of cold are often high-proof spirits or distilled liquors, as it is sometimes believed that if the drink is stronger, its warming effect will be greater. That is, the most harmful alcohol, which poses the greatest risk, is what many people drink to, apparently, achieve a better body temperature. What many people who do this don’t know is that what was supposed to be a remedy ends up being a poison that will worsen the situation.
What can I do to combat the cold?
For those who feel they now have one less resource to combat the cold, we offer some recommendations to deal with low temperatures without resorting to the dangerous and ineffective solution of drug use:
- Drink hot beverages (non-alcoholic) or eat hot food
- Use hot water bottles
- Engage in physical exercise
- Always dress warmly (and especially cover your feet and head)
There are many ways to avoid feeling cold. Although not everyone has access to adequate conditions, there are accessible methods beyond home heating, and it is important to stay away from alcohol to find these real solutions.
Problems arising from alcohol consumption
There is a long list of drawbacks caused by the consumption of alcoholic beverages. There are many arguments for not drinking, and evidently, hiding behind excuses like it helps combat the cold does no good.
These are some of the most serious problems of consuming large quantities of alcohol:
- Alcoholic cirrhosis
- High blood pressure
- Emotional instability
- Serious problems with family, friends, or partner
- Addiction
Alcohol Detoxification Treatment
Alcoholism is the most common of addictions and has serious consequences for those who consume. Despite being a legal drug, drinking can lead to serious health problems, which is why it is essential to treat it in time.
At CCAdicciones, we have several detoxification centers in Spain, and in all of them, we have trained and specialized staff in addiction treatment. In turn, we have facilities that allow us to create an ideal environment for detoxification processes.
In the case of our alcohol detoxification treatment, we carry out different therapies to treat the affected person. From individual therapies to focus on the patient in a more personalized way to group therapies to share and find a space where they will be understood by others. Additionally, we also believe in recovery through sports and conduct activities guided by sports therapists.
All of this also requires effort and willingness from the addicted person. The process may not be easy and will require patience and effort. At CCAdicciones, we are prepared to help you through this entire process, and our 86% recovery rate demonstrates the effectiveness of our treatments.
Quitting alcohol
At CCAdicciones, we urge everyone not to consume alcohol. If you have to deal with lower temperatures, many other solutions will truly be useful. Without a doubt, drinking will never be one of them because alcohol does not help combat the cold.
In case of alcohol addiction, at CCAdicciones, we have detoxification centers where you can recover. Our professionals specialize in all types of drugs. Alcohol treatment is one of the most common, as unfortunately, alcoholism is the most prevalent addiction. If you need help and want to find a way out of addiction, CCAdicciones can help you.
