While intelligence, education, and street smarts are often enough to keep most people out of serious trouble, sometimes even the best of people make some not-so-smart decisions.

For instance, there are many cases where people, after consuming alcohol, make dangerous and irresponsible decisions with long-lasting consequences. One too many drinks might convince someone who is otherwise responsible to get behind the wheel rather than get a ride. 

The reasons for this aren’t necessarily tied to a lack of knowledge. They’re linked to how alcohol affects the human brain and its functionality. The psychology behind this particular phenomenon could help shed some light on the way in which smart people, who are normally law-abiding, can make irresponsible decisions that can put them on the wrong side of the law.

Here are five reasons why a high level of intelligence won’t necessarily prevent someone from making bad decisions after drinking too much alcohol.

Alcohol impairs the prefrontal cortex

The prefrontal cortex is a region of the brain that houses the reasoning, impulse control, planning, and decision-making centres. So, it’s this area of the brain that enables human beings to make judgements and decisions, and to weigh the pros and cons of any given situation.

Alcohol directly impairs the function of this area of the brain, and moderate levels of alcohol can impair the ability of the brain to weigh long-term consequences. As the level of alcohol in the blood increases, so does the level of emotional reaction in place of rational reaction.

That’s why someone accustomed to rational decision-making can consume alcohol and find themselves facing DUI charges and requiring the help of a DUI lawyer.

Overconfidence bias becomes amplified

Most intelligent people are used to making the right decisions in complex situations. They rely on their reasoning skills and base their decisions on past success in complex situations. But when they overindulge in alcohol, their confidence may turn into overconfidence.

People may feel that they’re performing better than they really are. But in reality, their reaction time and motor skills may not be where they should be. The combination of poor judgement and overconfidence bias can prove to be a dangerous mix.

Alcohol myopia narrows focus

According to the theory of alcohol myopia, people’s attention span is reduced when they drink alcohol, and they can see only the immediate and concrete consequences of their actions.

Usually, intelligent people can see the bigger picture and can take into account the various factors involved in a particular situation and the long-term results of their actions. But when they use alcohol, their field of view may get restricted, and they may not be able to see the long-term results of their actions.

Emotional regulation becomes weakened

Alcohol has an impact beyond the intellect. It can increase certain emotions, like anger, excitement, or sadness. It can also decrease inhibitions related to these emotions. 

Alcohol can act like a disinhibitor, releasing bottled-up emotions. This can lead to the following:

• Aggressive confrontations
• Risky social or sexual choices
• Impulsive financial decisions
• Risky driving habits

As emotional levels increase and inhibitions decrease, the potential for dangerous choices can grow.

Social influence becomes more powerful

Human beings are social creatures. Alcohol tends to enhance the bonding and conformity of groups. This is particularly true in group settings where people often follow the lead of others. 

When drinking, people become more likely to follow the crowd. They become less likely to go against the majority. So, if some in a group setting minimize the risks of drunk driving, the others may be less likely to push back against that argument.

With or without the involvement of alcohol, smart people are no exception to peer pressure. It’s just that factoring alcohol into the equation can make matters worse.

Intelligence has no bearing on the impairment of the brain while drinking. If the part of the brain responsible for judgement is impaired, drinkers can find themselves making unfortunate choices. The only way to make safe decisions is to become aware of the shift in the decision-making process after consuming alcohol. This is the only way to truly become wise.

Adam Mulligan, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.