A person’s ability to hold on to positive emotions seems to reduce the risk of problems after drinking, independent of how much alcohol is consumed. A study of college students published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Researchfound that there was a stronger link between drinking and problems like blackouts, fights, or driving under the influence in students who had a negative mood before drinking. In students with a positive affect, that link was weaker, and students who had a greater ability to savor enjoyable moments experienced fewer problems regardless of their drinking patterns. The findings suggest that helping students develop coping skills for negative emotions, as well as cultivating a positive mindset, may reduce their experiences with drinking-related problems.
