🍺 Alcohol & Normalised Risk
Alcohol is involved in more assaults, accidents, coercion, and injuries than most illegal drugs combined — not because it is extreme, but because it is familiar.
🧠 What This Module Is About
This module explains why alcohol-related harm usually happens before people think anything is wrong. Most incidents occur when people feel relaxed, sociable, and “in control”.
Alcohol reduces threat detection, delays exits, increases politeness, and weakens boundary enforcement — long before obvious intoxication.
Common Myths That Increase Risk
❌ “I’m used to drinking”
Tolerance hides impairment — it does not remove it.
❌ “Nothing bad happened last time”
Risk depends on context, not past outcomes.
❌ “It’s a normal situation”
Normal settings produce most real-world harm.
Early Warning Signs (Before “Drunk”)
- Delayed reactions or responses
- Increased politeness or compliance
- Laughing off discomfort
- Staying longer than planned
- Ignoring subtle boundary pushes
How Harm Escalates
Alcohol-related incidents usually follow a predictable pattern: familiarity → reduced vigilance → delayed exit → reduced options.
By the time someone realises a situation is unsafe, control has already narrowed.
Alcohol Risk Stacking Tool
🎭 Scenario
You’ve been drinking. Someone offers to “walk you home so you’re safe”. You don’t feel threatened — just tired.

