The Psychological Impact of Alcohol
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows down brain function and impairs crucial cognitive processes. This is the primary reason why intoxicated individuals often make impulsive decisions, including the infamous drunk dial. The frontal lobe, responsible for judgment, foresight, and inhibition, is one of the first areas of the brain to be affected by alcohol. As its function is dampened, the individual's ability to regulate their behavior and weigh the consequences of their actions is significantly reduced.
Why People Drunk Dial: The Underlying Motivations
Beyond simple lowered inhibitions, research has identified several specific motivations behind the urge to call someone while drunk. A 2014 study identified five key drivers for this behavior in college students:
- Social Lubricant: Individuals may feel more courageous or confident under the influence of alcohol, believing it helps them express themselves better or escape social accountability.
- Entertainment: The act of drunk dialing can be seen as funny or entertaining, both to the caller and their friends, creating a story to be retold later.
- Coordination: People sometimes call while intoxicated to make plans or coordinate meeting up with others.
- Confession of Emotion: This is often the most regretted motive. A person might call to express deep feelings of love, anger, or loneliness that they would never articulate while sober.
- Sexuality: Calls can be driven by sexual arousal or a desire to initiate a sexual encounter.
The Fallout of Impulsive Calls
While some drunk dials may be harmless, many result in significant embarrassment and social repercussions. The morning-after regret is a common theme, with studies showing a large percentage of people feel remorseful about their drunken communications. These calls can lead to awkward conversations, strained friendships, and in the worst cases, the end of a relationship. The caller's uninhibited emotions, whether loving or angry, can be deeply unsettling or hurtful to the recipient, who has to process an intense message delivered in an inappropriate state. Furthermore, the incident can cause the caller to feel shame and anxiety, potentially impacting their mental health.
How to Prevent Regrettable Phone Calls
There are several strategies one can employ to prevent a drunk dial from happening in the first place. These methods rely on foresight and creating barriers to a future impulse decision:
- Use a prevention app: Apps like 'Drunk Mode' are specifically designed to help. These apps can prevent users from calling or texting certain contacts for a set period, typically for several hours. Some can even block social media access.
- Have a 'sober buddy': Ask a trusted friend to hold onto your phone for the night or to monitor your actions. This is a classic solution that relies on social accountability.
- Pre-plan your phone's shutdown: Before a night out, make a pact with yourself or a friend to turn your phone off after a certain time or after a certain number of drinks. You can leave a note on your phone's home screen reminding you not to turn it back on.
- Engage in social activities: The search for entertainment is a driver for drunk dialing. Stay engaged in conversation or activities with friends to minimize the opportunity for solo phone use. Stay present in the moment rather than isolating yourself with your phone.
- Delay the action: If you feel the urge to make a call, set a delay alarm on your phone for a few hours. The next morning, when you are sober, you will be able to reconsider whether the call is still a good idea.
Drunk Dialing vs. Drunk Texting
With the proliferation of different communication methods, the phenomena of drunk dialing and drunk texting have become common. While both are driven by similar psychological factors, their impact and potential for embarrassment differ.
| Feature | Drunk Dialing | Drunk Texting |
|---|---|---|
| Medium | Verbal, immediate, and in real-time | Written, asynchronous, and can be read later |
| Permanence | Ephemeral, though voicemails can be saved | Permanent and easily shareable; a digital record exists |
| Immediate Consequences | Recipient can react and respond in real-time | Recipient may not see the message immediately, delaying the fallout |
| Potential for Sharing | Voicemails can be shared, but live conversation is private | Texts are easily screenshotted and shared, increasing public embarrassment |
| Ease of Rescinding | Cannot be rescinded once spoken | Cannot be recalled once sent; the message is gone forever |
| Context | Often includes slurred words or nonsensical conversation | Misspellings and autocorrect errors are common, adding to the embarrassment |
A Broader Look at Alcohol and Communication
While the humor and embarrassment of drunk dialing are well-known, the behavior is also a symptom of a broader issue: a person’s relationship with alcohol. For some, it might be a one-off embarrassing mistake. However, for others, repeated incidents of regretful, intoxicated communication can signal a larger problem with alcohol use or with underlying mental health issues like anxiety or attachment disorders.
Excessive drinking carries a range of health risks, both short-term (accidents, violence, alcohol poisoning) and long-term (chronic diseases, mental health conditions). If a person finds themselves regularly making regrettable phone calls while drinking, it may be beneficial to explore their relationship with alcohol and consider seeking support. The behavior itself is often a manifestation of deeper emotional needs, such as loneliness or a desire for connection, that are not being addressed while sober.
Conclusion
In conclusion, what is called when you call someone while drunk is a 'drunk dial.' This act stems from alcohol-induced lowered inhibitions and can be fueled by various emotional motivations, from confessing feelings to seeking entertainment. While a common part of modern social life, its consequences can range from mild embarrassment to serious damage to relationships. Understanding the underlying psychology and implementing preventive strategies—such as using phone-blocking apps or relying on a sober friend—can help individuals avoid the morning-after regret. For those who find this to be a recurring problem, it may be a valuable opportunity to examine their relationship with alcohol and seek help if needed, addressing the root causes behind the impulse to make that ill-advised late-night call. For further resources on alcohol's effects, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) provides valuable information online.
