Drunk Texting: Why Do We Do It?

Fun weekends mean drinking, dancing, gossiping, watching a favorite sport with friends, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, achievements, or special occasions. People drink to unwind during these parties, thinking it makes them look cool. When this is done moderately, it is fine, but when the consumption of 1-2 pegs converts into uncontrolled alcohol consumption, it impacts both the mind and body.

Alcohol affects the ability to make sound judgments and makes one uneasy, and when this feeling is coupled with the accessibility of phones, it is a deadly combination. Those who have been there can relate to what I am saying.

Drunk texting is a behavior where individuals send text messages while consuming alcohol. The liquid courage alcohol surfaces the suppressed thoughts and emotions, and the person feels confident to share their feelings through text with the person in mind. However, some individuals use drunk texting to entertain or escape boredom.

Individuals often experience increased confidence when intoxicated, leading them to believe that sending messages, even ones they might consider risky or inappropriate when sober, is acceptable. However, such behavior has consequences, as messages sent while drunk may not accurately reflect one’s true feelings or intentions.

Why Do We Send Drunk Text?

Drunk texting occurs when someone has consumed alcohol and sends messages. There are several reasons why people engage in drunk texting:

Guard is Down: Alcohol clouds judgment, affecting the frontal lobe, thereby decreasing fear about the consequences of their actions, including what they say in messages.

Emotional State: Alcohol intensifies emotions, making one express feelings through text without thinking about positive or negative.

Impacts Decision-Making: Alcohol affects cognitive functions, including decision-making, leading to impulsive actions and the urge to say whatever they think without rethinking.

Desire for Social Interaction: When people drink, they feel a strong desire to connect with others. This can involve messaging friends, family, or even romantic partners.

Loneliness: When individuals feel lonely or isolated after drinking, they text to seek connection.

Miscommunication: Alcohol affects a person’s communication ability, leading to misunderstandings and making relationships fall apart.

Lack of Accountability: Texting can feel less aggressive, making people feel less accountable for their words. When under the influence of alcohol, time can feel distorted, leading to someone sending messages at unusual hours, not realizing how late or early it is.

While drunk texting is common, it’s not always healthy or productive. It can lead to misunderstandings, strained relationships, and even regrettable situations.

What did the research on drunk texting tell us about it?

Drunk texting has been researched so that why people behave the way they do can be understood. Here are some key findings from various studies:

• One of the primary reasons for drunk texting is the reduced inhibitions and impaired judgment leading individuals.
• Emotional upheaval and intensified emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, or affection.

Impact of Drunk Texting on Relationships:

Drunk texting can significantly impact relationships. When individuals send messages under alcohol, they may express emotions, thoughts, or intentions that they wouldn’t share or express when sober. This can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and even confusing or overwhelming conflicts for the recipient.

It can break trust or make the other person suspicious of the sender. It can also lead to embarrassment and shame for both parties. The sender may wake up regretting their messages, while the recipient may feel uncomfortable or unsure how to respond. This can create an awkward situation that may be difficult to navigate, causing tension in the relationship.

Do Drunk Texts Hold Any Meaning?

Drunk texts can hold meaning, but it’s essential to approach them with caution and context. Here are some considerations:

1. Emotional Authenticity:

Drunk texts may reflect the sender’s genuine emotions at the time. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, making people more likely to express their true feelings, whether positive or negative. Also, the usual filters wear out, and the person becomes impulsive and can no longer decide right and wrong, which can be done in the first place when sober. This means the messages might not be carefully thought out or represent the person’s typical communication style.

2. Intensified Emotions:

Alcohol can intensify existing emotions, making them stronger than when sober, leading to more intense expressions of feelings in text messages. Due to this, understanding the context of the relationship and the specific situation is crucial. For example, if someone frequently sends affectionate messages while drinking, it may be a pattern of behavior rather than a one-time, significant expression.

3. Miscommunication:

Drunk texts can sometimes be unclear, emotional, or even contradictory. The recipient can misinterpret the message, leading to misunderstandings. The sender may feel regret or embarrassment about the messages once they sober up, particularly if they were excessively emotional or sent messages to someone they shouldn’t have.

4. Temporary State:

Emotions expressed in drunk texts are temporary, and one should not take them seriously even though they provide a window into a person’s emotional state at the time. Once sober, have a conversation with the person to understand their feelings and intentions better. If you receive drunk texts from someone and are unsure of their meaning, it’s okay to seek clarification when everyone is in a more sober and clear-headed state.

Tips for Avoiding Drunk Texting:

1. Monitor Yourself with Apps and Extensions:

Various apps and extensions can help you monitor and control your phone activity while drinking. These tools restrict your ability to send messages or make calls, which can be a helpful barrier against impulsive drunk texting.

2. Adjust Your Phone and Contact Settings:

You can take proactive steps by adjusting settings on your phone. For instance, you might activate airplane mode, which prevents you from sending or receiving messages or calls. Another approach is to delete or block contacts you’d prefer not to message when you’re under the influence. If you want to keep contact but avoid messaging them, consider renaming it.

3. Making a Plan of Action:

Before you start drinking, developing a plan for handling your phone is wise. This could involve asking a trusted friend about your intentions, asking them to help keep you accountable, or even leaving your phone in an area so the temptation of drunk texting can be reduced.

Ways to Respond to Drunk Texts

Responding to drunk texts can be a delicate situation. Hence, be empathic and understanding and follow these tips to respond to these texts:

1. Stay Calm and Patient:

Keep your tone calm and composed. Avoid getting frustrated or angry, even if the messages are nonsensical or irritating. Make the other person understand it is okay to feel a certain way and that you’re there for them.

2. Redirect the Conversation:

Gently steer the conversation towards more positive or light-hearted topics. This can help shift their focus away from whatever might be bothering them.

3. Set Boundaries:

If the messages are becoming inappropriate or excessive, politely let them know that it’s not the best time to have a serious conversation and that you can talk later.

4. Encourage Them to Rest:

If it’s late and they’re intoxicated, suggest that they get some rest and continue the conversation when they’re sober. It’s best not to engage in a heated discussion if they’re argumentative or aggressive. Suggest that you talk about it when they’re feeling more clear-headed.

5. Reassure Them:

If they are anxious or insecure, reassure them of your friendship or relationship. Let them know you care about them. However, if they still feel upset or lonely, suggest activities to distract themselves or ways to take care of themselves at that moment.

6. Know When to End the Conversation:

If the conversation becomes too difficult or uncomfortable, it’s okay to let them know that you’ll talk to them later when they’re feeling better. Remember, the goal is to be supportive and understanding, even if the situation might be challenging. If the person’s messages are alarming or indicate they’re in immediate danger, consider contacting someone who can help, like a trusted friend, family member, or professional.

Respond to Drunk Texts with Grace

Whether you are the sender or receiver, most of us have experienced the world of drunk texting. Navigating this situation can be tricky, but it can go a long way with kindness and patience. Responding with understanding and support can make a world of difference.

When you give them a listening ear and let them rest, the conversation can be shifted to a positive perspective, and if things get tough, know it’s okay to set boundaries or suggest talking later. Handling drunk texts is about being a caring friend; sometimes, that’s all someone needs in those vulnerable moments.

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