What can be a significant outcome of peer pressure in social drinking situations?

In social drinking situations, peer pressure can significantly encourage excessive drinking, which often leads to impaired judgment. When individuals are surrounded by friends or peers who are consuming alcohol heavily, they may feel compelled to match that level of consumption to fit in or avoid social exclusion. This pressure can diminish their ability to make sound decisions regarding their own alcohol intake. As a result, they might surpass their limits, which not only affects their judgment and behavior while intoxicated but also raises the likelihood of risky decisions, such as driving under the influence or engaging in unsafe activities. Understanding this dynamic illustrates how social environments can heavily influence drinking behaviors and contribute to the risks associated with alcohol consumption.