We’ve all seen it happen—someone has a few too many drinks and ends up doing something they regret.

Maybe it’s sending a risky text, picking a fight, or making a reckless decision.

But why does this happen to some people more than others?

According to psychology, certain personality traits make someone more likely to lose control when they drink. These traits can influence how alcohol affects their behavior, leading to actions they wouldn’t normally take when sober.

If you’ve ever wondered why some people regret their drunken decisions more than others, here are the traits that might explain it.

1) Low impulse control

Some people can have a few drinks and still think before they act.

Others? Not so much.

Impulse control is what helps us pause and consider the consequences before making a decision. But when alcohol enters the picture, it lowers inhibitions—especially for those who already struggle with self-control.

This is why some people are more likely to send embarrassing texts, pick unnecessary fights, or make reckless choices after drinking. Their brain’s usual “brakes” just don’t work as well under the influence.

If someone tends to act on impulse even when sober, they’re much more likely to do things they’ll regret when alcohol is involved.

2) Difficulty handling emotions

I used to have a friend who always got overly emotional when he drank.

If he was happy, he’d be the loudest, most excited person in the room. But if something upset him, even slightly, it could spiral into a full-blown meltdown.

One night, after a few drinks, he got into an argument over something small. Instead of letting it go, he let his emotions take over—yelling, slamming his drink down, and eventually storming out.

The next day, he barely remembered what happened but felt embarrassed when we told him.

Alcohol lowers our ability to regulate emotions, and for people who already struggle with emotional control, this can lead to impulsive outbursts or regretful decisions.

If someone tends to react strongly to their feelings when sober, drinking can make it even worse.

3) Sensation-seeking personality

Some people drink to relax, while others drink for the thrill.

Those with a sensation-seeking personality are more likely to chase excitement, even if it means taking risks they wouldn’t normally consider.

Research has shown that people who score high in sensation-seeking are more prone to reckless behaviors when drinking—like driving under the influence, starting fights, or engaging in risky sexual behavior.

Alcohol lowers inhibitions, and for someone who already craves excitement, this can lead to choices they later regret.

They’re not necessarily trying to be reckless; they just thrive on the rush of new and intense experiences. But when alcohol is involved, that thrill-seeking mindset can turn into a recipe for regret.

4) Tendency to conform to peer pressure

Some people can stick to their limits no matter what, but others have a harder time saying no—especially in social situations.

If everyone else is taking another shot or pushing them to do something wild, they go along with it, even if they know they shouldn’t.

This tendency to conform makes them more likely to overdrink or engage in risky behavior just to fit in. Alcohol already makes it harder to think rationally, and when combined with a strong desire for social approval, it can lead to choices they wouldn’t normally make.

The next morning, they may regret what they did—not because they wanted to in the first place, but because they didn’t want to be the odd one out.

5) Difficulty thinking about consequences

Some people naturally think ahead, considering how their actions might affect them later. Others live in the moment, acting first and dealing with the consequences later.

When alcohol is involved, this difference becomes even more obvious.

Alcohol impairs judgment, making it harder to weigh the risks of a decision. For someone who already struggles with thinking ahead, drinking can amplify this tendency, leading to reckless choices they wouldn’t normally make.

Whether it’s texting an ex, picking a fight, or taking dangerous risks, they’re focused on what feels right in the moment—not how they’ll feel about it tomorrow.

6) Using alcohol as an escape

For some, drinking is just a way to have fun. But for others, it’s a way to escape—from stress, pain, or emotions they don’t want to deal with.

And when alcohol becomes an emotional outlet, it often leads to choices they later regret.

Alcohol can numb feelings for a while, but it also lowers inhibitions and clouds judgment. If someone drinks to forget their problems, they’re more likely to act impulsively or make reckless decisions in the process.

The hardest part is that the regret that follows often makes things worse. What started as an escape only adds more guilt, embarrassment, or sadness the next day—creating a cycle that’s hard to break.

7) Struggling with self-worth

Some people drink to loosen up and enjoy the moment, but for others, alcohol becomes a way to feel accepted, confident, or good enough.

When someone already struggles with self-worth, drinking can sometimes bring out behaviors they wouldn’t normally engage in—just to feel like they belong.

Maybe it’s going along with things they’re uncomfortable with, laughing at jokes that hurt, or seeking attention in ways they later regret. In the moment, alcohol can feel like an escape from insecurity, but afterward, it often leaves them feeling worse than before.

The truth is, no amount of drinking can fill the gap of not feeling good enough. And when alcohol is used to silence those feelings, it usually leads to choices that only make them louder in the end.

8) Difficulty setting boundaries

Some people know their limits and stick to them, but others struggle to say no—even when they know they should. Whether it’s having “just one more drink” or going along with something they’re uncomfortable with, a lack of firm boundaries can lead to choices they later regret.

Alcohol makes it harder to stand firm, especially for those who already have trouble asserting themselves. Under the influence, they might agree to things they wouldn’t normally do—whether it’s drinking past their limit, staying out longer than they planned, or getting into situations that don’t align with their values.

The next day, regret often comes not just from what happened, but from the feeling of losing control over their own decisions.

9) Believing “it won’t happen to me”

One of the biggest reasons people make choices they regret while drinking is the belief that they’re in control—right up until they’re not.

They assume they can handle more than they actually can, that they won’t say or do something reckless, that they’re different from the people who make mistakes.

But alcohol doesn’t work that way. It lowers inhibitions, clouds judgment, and changes behavior in ways that aren’t always predictable.

The moment someone starts thinking, “I’m fine, this won’t happen to me,” is often the moment they stop paying attention to their limits. And that’s when regret happens.

Bottom line: alcohol changes the brain

Human behavior is shaped by a complex mix of personality, experiences, and brain chemistry. And when alcohol enters the picture, it alters the way the brain processes decisions, emotions, and self-control.

One of the key reasons regret happens after drinking is that alcohol directly affects the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for judgment and impulse control.

This is why even people who are usually careful or reserved can end up making choices they wouldn’t normally consider.

For those who already struggle with impulse control, emotional regulation, or boundary-setting, alcohol only amplifies these tendencies. It doesn’t create new behaviors—it simply lowers the barriers that usually keep them in check.

Understanding this isn’t about blame; it’s about awareness. The more we recognize how alcohol interacts with our natural traits, the better we can make choices that align with who we truly want to be—before regret has a chance to set in.