Questioning Alcohol: Uncovering Social Conditioning and Shifting Our Perspective

By Coach Onowa

Hello, everyone! Coach Ona here, and today we’re continuing our conversation about questioning alcohol. Let’s dive deeper into where our beliefs about alcohol come from and how social conditioning shapes our perceptions.

Where Is Our Attention Going?

Have you ever stopped to think about where your attention is focused throughout the day? If we take a closer look, we might begin to recognize subtle yet powerful messaging about alcohol woven into our daily lives. It’s in our family traditions, social gatherings, and even our personal beliefs—many of which we may have never questioned before.For example, many of us have grown up believing that alcohol is the key to fun, relaxation, or even being a "cool mom." But where did these ideas originate? While some of these messages may come from our immediate environment, a significant portion stems from broader cultural influences.

The Power of Repetition and Media Influence

Think about the movies and TV shows you watched growing up. How often did they depict alcohol as an essential part of celebration, stress relief, or social bonding? Even today, mainstream media, including Netflix shows, music, and viral videos, reinforce this idea.Our brains are wired to recognize patterns. The more we see something, the more we internalize it as "normal" or even necessary. This is known as social conditioning, a process through which repeated exposure to certain messages shapes our behaviors and beliefs—often without us even realizing it.

Unpacking the Influence of Social Engineering

If you're curious about how deeply ingrained these messages are, I encourage you to explore the work of Edward Bernays, often considered the father of modern public relations. He played a key role in marketing strategies that influenced public opinion on various topics—including alcohol consumption.Understanding how these messages have been strategically placed in our culture allows us to make more intentional choices about where we focus our attention. The next time you notice alcohol being portrayed as a necessity in media or social situations, call it out:
"There’s some alcohol programming showing up here."This simple act of awareness helps us break the cycle of unconscious influence and make decisions that align with our true values.

Does Alcohol Truly Serve You?

Once we start questioning these deeply rooted beliefs, we can ask ourselves:Is alcohol actually enhancing my connections?Does it truly help me relax, or is that just something I’ve been led to believe? How does it really affect my life—physically, mentally, and emotionally? By exploring these questions, we can make more conscious decisions about whether alcohol aligns with our personal well-being.

Your Turn: Let’s Get Curious

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Have you gone down any rabbit holes of curiosity when it comes to the influence of media and social conditioning around alcohol? How do you think these messages have shaped your own perceptions? Drop your comments below, and let’s keep this conversation going! Talk to you soon,

Coach Onowa