What Happens When You Drink Alcohol for the First Time?

The first time for anything can be nerve-racking. The first day of a new job, your first time driving a car, and even your first time drinking. By no means are we encouraging drinking, but if we’re going to do it, it’s better to be informed. The more informed we are, the more mindful decisions we can make. 

To help prepare, let’s get into everything we need to know about what can happen during and after drinking, and what the long-term consequences can be. Whether we’re looking to take that first drink or not, understanding alcohol’s effects can help us protect the safety and well-being of ourselves and those around us. 

How Your First Time Drinking Could Be Different

Maybe you’ve seen what being drunk is like from a TV show or movie, or you’ve heard first-hand from others what it’s like. But the truth is that we all respond to alcohol differently. And since it’s the first time our body is exposed to alcohol, we won’t know what to expect. Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that can impact first-time drinking.

• We don’t know our limits. Drinking isn’t an exact science, so some of us may tolerate alcohol better than others. We might be able to gauge how we feel based on a blood alcohol concentration chart, but since we don’t know our own limits, it can be easy to go overboard. 
• We don’t know if we’re intolerant or allergic. Most of us don’t get tested for alcohol intolerance or allergy before drinking. Since it’s our first time, we won’t know if we’ll have any adverse effects that may guide our future choices.
• It might be easier to give in to peer pressure. Alcohol is a common part of many social situations, often making it difficult to say no. And since we might not be used to alcohol’s effects on our judgment and decision-making, it might be even more challenging to not give in to peer pressure. 
• We don’t know what effects we'll experience. There’s a long list of effects of alcohol intoxication, but as we’ve mentioned, we all respond differently to alcohol. After we’re more aware of what signs to look out for, we can better prevent and manage them, but the first time we experience them, we may not know what’s happening to us. 
• We haven’t developed any tolerance. Our brain and body get used to alcohol’s effects over time, increasing our tolerance. Since it’s our first time drinking, we can have a heightened reaction to alcohol, making it more dangerous. 
• We won’t know when to ask for help. Once we’re able to recognize the signs that we’ve had too much, we’re able to ask for help when we need it. This could be anything from asking an accountability buddy to make sure we’re not drinking anymore and grabbing a glass of water instead, to having someone drive us home or even seeking medical attention. We won’t know what to expect the first time, and we might not realize we need help. 

Alcohol affects us all differently and on top of that, these factors leave us even more in the dark when we’re drinking for the first time. To help us drink more safely and responsibly, let’s get a clearer picture of what to expect while we’re drinking, afterwards, and even in the long term. 

Alcohol’s Immediate Effects 

We can start to feel alcohol’s effects in as little as 10 minutes after drinking. The effects we feel can depend on many factors, including how much we drink, how fast we drink, whether or not we ate prior to drinking, and individual factors like our weight, health, and gender. 

At first, we might feel warmer, more relaxed, and more sociable. As more alcohol gets absorbed into our bloodstream and slows down messaging in our brain and body, we might start to feel more off balance; our judgment might be impaired;, we’re slower to respond; our vision can start to blur, and it’s harder to move our body the way we normally do. Alcohol also stimulates the release of the “feel-good” hormones serotonin and dopamine, and we might feel temporarily happy and euphoric. 

These seem manageable, right? Well, it’s easy to go overboard. When we drink too much, more dangerous effects such as vomiting, headache, confusion, slowed breathing, loss of motor control, and even loss of consciousness can occur. For a more detailed breakdown of alcohol’s effects, check out “Understanding What Does Being Drunk Feel Like: A Comprehensive Guide to Physical Sensations and Effects.” 

If you or someone you know is experiencing any severe symptoms, it’s vital to seek medication attention immediately, as intoxication can easily escalate to alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening. 

Alcohol’s Aftereffects

Alcohol’s effects don’t end after we finish drinking. It takes time for our body to get rid of the alcohol in our system (it does so at the rate of approximately 1 standard drink per hour). The aftereffects of alcohol are known as hangovers. 

When we drink, alcohol gets broken down into a toxic compound known as acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde travels through our bloodstream, negatively affecting our cells and organs and causing unpleasant symptoms. Some common symptoms of an alcohol hangover include the following:

• Dehydration 
• Headache and body pains
• Dizziness 
• Sensitivity to light and sound 
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Fatigue 
• Irritability 
• Excessive sweating 

Hangovers last roughly 24 hours. When we’re drinking for the first time, we might feel more intensified effects as it’s the first time our body is exposed to alcohol. But it doesn’t end there. If we continue to drink long term, alcohol affects our health and well-being in many ways.

Alcohol’s Long-Term Effects

The toxins in alcohol cause damage to our cells and organs each time we drink. Over time, this adds up leading to poor mental health, dysfunction of our bodily systems, and increased risk of certain diseases and cancers. Alcohol is directly linked to many health issues:

• Liver damage and disease
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
• Increased risk of certain types of cancers
• Memory problems
• Mood disorders, anxiety, and depression
• Digestive problems
• Impaired immune function

These health issues can lead to alcohol-related mortality. In fact, research shows that about two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths are from chronic health issues. 

How Much Is Too Much? 

Drinking for the first time can involve a more intensified reaction to alcohol since our body and brain haven’t developed any tolerance. While the number of drinks considered “too many” depends on different factors, it’s a good rule of thumb to stick to and even aim for below moderate drinking guidelines. 

According to the CDC, moderate drinking refers to 2 standard drinks or fewer in a day for men and 1 standard drink or fewer in a day for women. But what’s one standard drink? While alcohol can be served in anything from a can to a pitcher, there are actually standard drink measurements. So, the “one drink” we order at the bar can actually be two to three “standard drinks.” 

Practical Tips for Your First Time Drinking Alcohol 

When we’re more informed, we can make more mindful and responsible drinking decisions. Here are some things we can do to make sure that if we’re making the choice to drink, we prioritize our well-being:

• Be prepared. Diving into drinking without any preparation can make it more risky. Make sure a family member or friend knows what your plans are, that you have a designated driver, and that you understand what’s happening to you and don’t go overboard. 
• Drink plenty of water. Prioritizing hydration can help combat alcohol’s dehydrating effects and ward off hangover symptoms. Have a glass of water in between drinks or get some added hydration with electrolytes.
• Eat before. Drinking on an empty stomach can speed up alcohol absorption. Eat a balanced meal with lean protein, whole grains, fiber, and healthy fats to amp up your vitamins and nutrients beforehand. 
• Remember that less is more. We don’t know our limits yet, and it’s so easy to go overboard. Slow down and shift the focus away from alcohol by remembering that less alcohol means more control, more authentic connections, and better health and well-being.
• Remember that you don’t have to drink to have fun. Alcohol is often associated with fun and can be a part of many social occasions, but drinking is not a requirement for having fun. Strike up genuine conversations, and focus on the activities around you. Better yet, enjoy the occasion without the consequences with alcohol-free alternatives.
• Switch to non-alcoholic alternatives. Try switching to a non-alcoholic beverage after every alcoholic one (either by ordering one or bringing some just in case). Then you’ll feel like you’re still “drinking,” but are pacing yourself and may even end up sticking with the non-alcoholic version for the rest of the night! 

Drinking for the first time doesn’t have to be an anxiety-provoking experience, but it’s a decision that can greatly affect our well-being. By following these tips, we can stay mindful if we’re choosing to drink.

Sip Smart

First-time drinking might seem intriguing or overwhelming, but it’s not something to take lightly. While we won’t be able to predict exactly what we’ll feel when we drink for the first time, having a general idea of alcohol’s effects will help us navigate the experience more mindfully and safely. Drinking for the first time might seem like a rite of passage into adulthood, but the reality is that it’s not, and in fact it opens the door to behaviors that can severely harm our health and well-being. If we’re making the decision to take that first drink, remember that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, and the downsides outweigh any benefit.