Mental Health Benefits of Moderate Drinking

After a long week of school assignments and a full-time job, a De Anza College student winds down with a cold glass of bear on his sofa.

Sean Hoffman, 20, a mechanical engineering major is like many other De Anza stuntedness who attend work and school full time.

He said the long hours of work and school exhaust him and barely allow anything else to fit into his schedule. Drinking at home, or with friends released the built up stress from the week.

Though alcohol abuse can cause health issues, Hoffman said it helps him relax and cope with stress. According to a study conducted by Gallup, an American research based company, about the relationship between alcohol consumption and metal health by Gallup, results showed that moderate drinking can be beneficial to ones emotional health.

Hoffman said it is "perfectly fine to indulge in a few drinks every once in a while."

Isabel Hernandez, 21, a history major, said drinking helped her overcome shyness.

"I didn't drink much before I turned 21, and now I'm able to legally drink and go out -- it's fun,"she said. "It's helped me break out of my shell and be more social."

The Gallup polls collected by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, indicates that only 7 percent of moderate drinkers experience depression in comparison to 11 percent of non-drinkers.

Gallup-Healthways classifies moderate drinking as consuming one to 14 drinks per week.

Kasey Meier, a 19-year-old biology major said alcohol is not necessarily essential to have fun, but does "enhance the experience."

"I'm a happy drunk,"she said. "I laugh a lot, and everyone suddenly becomes my friend."

Meier adds that since she is small in size, it does not usually take more than two drinks to give her a "good buzz." Though she said she does not drink often, she tends to drink on weekends with friends, when she does not have to wake up early the next day.

Arman Aziz, 20, a computer science major, says he feels differently toward alcohol since he has a strong religious background that does not encourage drinking.

"I don't judge others for drinking, but I choose not to,"he said. "I think it makes people angry or sad; sometimes even violent."

The study indicates that moderate alcohol consumption reduces depression, and can also increase positive emotions and experiences like laughing, smiling, and friendliness.

Theresa Duong, a 22-year-old computer science major, was surprised by these finding since she has always been taught negative things about it.

Duong said that learning this information makes her feel "less guilty" about her drinking habits. She also agrees that drinking, especially white wine, helps her relax.

While the study implies that moderate drinking lowers stress levels, Gallup does not mention the harmful effects of alcohol abuse, nor does it address the variation of health conditions that cause certain individuals to be at higher risk.

Hoffman said he know alcohol is not the healthiest option, but does admit that it is essential for relaxing.

"There's pros and cons to drinking, but if you moderate how much you drink, it won't hurt you in the long run."