People judge how drunk they are by looking at those around them

A new study in the United Kingdom shows that people judge how drunk they are by looking at those around them. If you are surrounded by sober persons, you could have a sobering effect.  Researchers found that those who stay with drunk individuals are more likely to think they are less drunk as they really are. However, when many sober people are present, some would think they drink too much.

Simon Moore, a professor at Cardiff University, Wales, said that the researchers have worked under the belief that those who drink the most alcohol think that everyone else also drinks too much. However, it seems that those who had too many drinks will feel better if they see others who are drunker than they are. So if you are at a  party and everyone is drinking alcohol, people will think it is more acceptable being drunk. Things change when you are the only one in the room who drinks.

The study is really interesting. Researchers went to four nightclubs and stayed there from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. They talked with every seventh person from there and asked if they could measure the alcohol level in their blood. Moreover, they asked those people how drunk they think they are and if they think alcohol will damage their health.

The study lasts a year and they used data from 1 800 people.  Those who were found with no alcohol in their blood were not included in the study. Most individuals think they are moderately drunk and agree they could be at risk because of drinking. Researchers also took into consideration how people react when around them are more sober people.  They discovered that the drinkers are more aware of how drunk they are when there are more sober people around them.

The study could be helpful for those who want to stay sober. If you stay only with people who do not drink, you will begin to drink less. This is not a surprise. Individuals care about what others think about them. Is easier not to drink when you know that sober people will watch your actions.

There will be more research in the future to find out how drunk people are feeling around sober individuals. What do you think?  What makes us drink less when there are sober people around us?

Image source: Pixabay