A new research found that people who drink alcohol in moderation during social situations most likely view risky situations with great caution if they are in a group.
For the study, the researchers interviewed 101 participants aged between 18 and 30. The respondents were told to give their opinions on how much risk they would accept before recommending a potentially unsafe action. For instance, they were asked whether it would be acceptable to drive to collect a friend from the airport after drinking.
Following this, they rejoined the group and discussed a second problem; this time, the group as a whole had to decide. "When intoxicated, it is known that people are more likely to engage in risky behavior, including the use of illicit drugs, engaging in violent and other criminal activity and driving at dangerous speeds," said Tim Hopthrow, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Our findings confirmed that individual risk decisions are increased by higher alcohol consumption."
The study results show that social interactions can lower risky behaviors in people who have been drinking in moderation. People are more likely to engage in risky behavior when they are alone. This means that drinking in a social situation may be far less dangerous than drinking alone.
"Rather than seeing groups as part of the problem, we need to see them as part of the solution," said Rose Meleady, one of the researchers. "Groups over-compensate for alcohol consumption in the face of risk. When drinking moderately, there may be safety in numbers."
The findings are published in the journal Addiction.
