In a thought-provoking TEDx talk Is Alcohol Really Helping Us Cope? | Samantha Perkins | TEDxBellarmineU, Samantha Perkins challenges our society’s reliance on alcohol as a stress-relief mechanism. Drawing from personal experience and scientific research, Perkins presents a compelling case for reconsidering our relationship with alcohol, especially when it comes to managing stress and anxiety.

Perkins begins her talk by sharing her personal journey. As a former mental health professional turned stay-at-home mom, she found herself overwhelmed by the demands of caring for a toddler and a newborn. Seeking ways to cope with her stress and anxiety, she noticed a prevalent theme among other mothers: drinking alcohol.

Cultural Normalisation of Alcohol

The speaker highlights how our culture normalises and even glorifies alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism. From novelty wine glasses labelled “Mommy’s Sippy Cup” to T-shirts proclaiming “They whine, I wine,” the message is clear: drinking is an acceptable, even encouraged, way to deal with life’s stressors.

Initially, Perkins found that alcohol seemed to work. It provided temporary relief from the chaos of motherhood. However, she soon noticed that her alcohol consumption was leading to disrupted sleep and increased anxiety. This realisation prompted her to delve deeper into the effects of alcohol on stress and overall well-being.

Perkins presents some alarming statistics:

1. The American Psychological Association reports that 50% of people say stress negatively impacts their mood and behaviour.
2. The CDC notes that increased stress correlates with increased drinking.
3. Since the pandemic, drinking has increased by 41%.

Questioning the Solution

These figures paint a picture of a society turning to alcohol as a primary coping mechanism. However, Perkins poses a crucial question: If alcohol were truly the solution that marketing portrays it to be, shouldn’t we be a culture of relaxed, laid-back individuals instead of reporting high levels of stress and increased drinking?

The speaker then delves into the science behind alcohol’s effects on our bodies and minds. While alcohol initially produces feel-good chemicals in the brain, leading to temporary relaxation, it quickly triggers a counterbalance reaction. The body responds by increasing heart rate and producing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

Perkins cites the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, which states that drinking disrupts every natural system in our body. This disruption can lead to mood instability, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems – the very issues many people drink to alleviate.

Beyond its impact on mental health, Perkins highlights alcohol’s detrimental effects on physical health:

1. The American Cancer Society links alcohol consumption to several types of cancer.
2. It increases the risk of heart disease.
3. Alcohol can damage the stomach lining and suppress the immune system.
4. The CDC reports that alcohol is responsible for 95,000 deaths per year, making it the third leading cause of preventable death.

Societal Issues and Economic Cost

Perkins also touches on alcohol’s role in societal issues, including its involvement in violent crimes and its substantial economic cost of about $250 billion per year.

The speaker then returns to her personal story, describing how she tried various self-improvement methods while continuing to drink, only to discover that alcohol itself was the root of many of her problems. When she stopped drinking, she found herself “alive AF” (alcohol-free).

An important point Perkins makes is that alcohol problems aren’t limited to those who are clinically dependent. In fact, nine out of ten people who have problems with alcohol are not clinically dependent, challenging the common perception of what it means to have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

To support her argument, Perkins cites a study by the University of Sussex on participants of “Dry January,” a month-long abstinence challenge. The study found that after just one month without alcohol, participants reported lower cholesterol, weight loss, increased energy, and improved clarity and focus.

Perkins shares that in her four years of being alcohol-free, she has experienced significant improvements in both her physical and emotional health. She found healthier ways to cope with stress, following the CDC’s recommendations to create, engage in authentic connections, and make time for hobbies and play.

The speaker concludes by challenging the audience to reconsider the role of alcohol in stress management. She suggests that instead of promoting alcohol as a coping mechanism, we should encourage more helpful alternatives. Perkins believes that by cultivating healthier coping mechanisms, we can create a culture of justice, equity, and peace.