Alcohol and Sex: A Cultural Slurring

So when I was a kid, there were certain relatives we didn't have over at certain occasions because they would imbibe so freely as to wreak havoc on any type of family vibe. This was frowned upon and thought of as somewhat sad and, as I grew and became aware of the emphasis on alcohol in our culture, I wrestled mightily with the mixed messages and emotions I felt.

The Medical College of Georgia posts some fascinating statistics about the sex and alcohol connection which point to the increased "looseness" and irresponsibility of people once they have had a bit too much. Women are especially prone to have lapses in judgment as they are affected more quickly by less to drink. For more on this please follow the link.

The history of alcohol is as old as celebrations themselves. We associate so many wonderful things with alcohol; family get-togethers and holidays, weddings and birthdays; even religious or spiritual gatherings use wine and spirits to symbolize a cosmic connection.
By the time most high school seniors are ready to take the plunge away from their childhood homes, they are also familiar with the link between sex and alcohol, many of them using the freedom they feel while under to the influence to reduce their social and sexual anxiety, to make intimacy a a part of the experience without worrying about consequences. Studies show that the risk for unplanned pregnancies and STD's increases with the use of alcohol and substance abuse. For more on this, follow this link where there is a great deal of information about teens and substance abuse as it relates to sexual issues.
In the world of "spirits" our spirits can literally flow out of our bodies, out of our minds. Judgment is impaired or abandoned, leaving us to experience that wonderful sense of freedom but never promising any protection at all.
Finding healthy, responsible ways to celebrate, to commune with the universe and to relax around people is crucial for the balance and well being that makes for a truly solid and good quality of life.
Our commercials, our music, our corporations all prey on our sense of wanting to relax, wanting to let go of our responsibilities in order to enjoy life, and alcohol is used as the catalyst for this experience.
One song I heard on the radio has lyrics which talk about a group of girls brushing their teeth with "a bottle of Jack" before going out to the club.
Another mentions being too drunk to remember where she is.
Another just does what he feels and, in order to avoid responsibility, he'll just "blame it on the alcohol."
Where fun and freedom intersect with danger and destruction alcohol crosses the line over and over again. We need more crusaders against this excessive escapism and toward a real freedom. A little thing called health.

Aimee Boyle lives, raises her children, walks her dog and loves her husband in southern CT. She is a freelance writer and teacher.

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• Sexual Health
• Sex & Relationships