Habits That Hurt Your Sex Life: Alcohol, Vaping & Stress

We all have our vices, life is tough, reading the news is depressing and adulthood just seems to be getting harder year after year.

If you have a vice, whether it’s unwinding with a drink after work, sneaking a vape break, or carrying the weight of endless to-do lists on our shoulders, then you’re not alone as an average 84% of Americans spend money on at least one vice.

These habits might seem harmless, even helpful in the moment, but they’re hindering not only your day to day life but sex life more than you know. 

From experiencing whiskey dick to stress-induced libido crashouts, the connection between your “bad” lifestyle habits and performance in bed is stronger than you realize. If you’ve noticed changes in your desire, arousal or even the ability to perform, then buckle up because this article is for you. 

Table of Contents

• Quick Glance: Your Vices May Be Killing Your Sex Life
• What is Whiskey Dick? Can Alcohol Affect Erections?
  • The Science Behind Booze and Your Bedroom Performance
  • When Should You Actually Worry?
• Vaping & Sexual Performance: Does it Help or Hinder?
  • The Nicotine Problem
  • The Vaping and Sex Connection
  • The Bottom Line on Vaping
• Stress Kills (Your Sex Life)
  • How Stress Sabotages Your Sexuality
• How to Improve Your Sex Life
  • Cutting Back on Alcohol
  • Quitting Vaping (Especially Nicotine)
  • Managing Stress Effectively
    • Physical strategies:
    • Mental and emotional strategies:
    • Social support:
  • The Long-Term Benefits Are Worth It
  • Reconnecting with Your Sexuality
• Conclusion

Quick Glance: Your Vices May Be Killing Your Sex Life

ViceEffects on WomenEffects on MenAlcoholReduced vaginal lubrication, lower estrogen levels, difficulty reaching orgasm, decreased arousalErectile dysfunction (whiskey dick), delayed ejaculation, reduced testosterone, impaired sexual performanceVaping/NicotineDecreased lubrication, reduced blood flow to genitals, difficulty achieving orgasm, lower arousalErectile dysfunction, narrowed blood vessels, reduced sexual arousal, performance issuesChronic StressLow libido, difficulty with arousal, hormonal imbalances, vaginal drynessErectile problems, premature ejaculation, low testosterone, decreased sex drive

What is Whiskey Dick? Can Alcohol Affect Erections?

We’ve all heard the term “whiskey dick” before, but do you even know what exactly it is? Well, first of all, you’d be surprised to know that despite its whiskey-specific name, this phenomenon isn’t picky like your alcohol habit, it can strike whether you’re drinking vodka, beer, wine or any other beverage with a high alcohol content. 

So what is it exactly? According to Medical News Today, whiskey dick is “a temporary condition where a person cannot get or maintain an adequate erection after consuming too much alcohol.” And before you think this is purely a problem for individuals with penises, those assigned female at birth (AFAB) aren’t off the hook either. 

The Science Behind Booze and Your Bedroom Performance

Here’s the paradox: a drink or two can actually help. A little nip or a glass of liquid courage can help people relax, shed inhibitions, etc. It can turn a fun night into something wild. We’ve all been there.

But there’s a fine line between relaxed and s### faced.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, heavy drinking can severely impact a man’s sex life. After all, alcohol is a depressant, which in layman’s terms means it slows down the way your body works and functions, including blood flow. When you drink like there’s no tomorrow, your body prioritizes processing and getting rid of the alcohol over maintaining the blood flow necessary for your member to stand erect. 

For AFAB individuals, the effects are as equally frustrating. According to Casa Capri Recovery, frequent alcohol misuse can cause reduced vaginal lubrication, lower estrogen levels, and difficulty achieving orgasm. Unfortunately blood flow to the clitoris can be affected (causing a potential numbing sensation), the bigger issue is that alcohol primarily affects natural lubrication. Sure, you can reach for the lube in your nightstand, but that’s treating the symptom, not the cause. 

When Should You Actually Worry?

If whiskey dick/clit happens once after a particularly wild night, don’t panic, we’ve seriously all been there. 

It becomes a problem if this constantly affects the way you live your life, even your sex life. 

Several factors influence how alcohol affects sexual performance:

• How much you’ve eaten – Food slows alcohol absorption
• Hydration levels – Water helps your body process booze more efficiently
• Stress and fatigue – These compound alcohol’s depressant effects
• Personal tolerance – Everyone metabolizes alcohol differently
• Underlying health conditions – Pre-existing issues can make you more vulnerable
• Individual body chemistry – Some people are simply more affected than others

If you’re experiencing alcohol-related sexual problems regularly, try these strategies:

• Limit yourself to one or two drinks for the evening
• Drink slowly, sips, not shots (you aren’t 21 anymore)
• Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Save drinking for after sex, not before
• Stay well-hydrated throughout
• Avoid mixing alcohol with other substances
• Skip the “quick fix” myths

If these adjustments don’t help, it might be time to consult a healthcare professional. Especially if you’re dealing with other issues like persistent low sex drive or premature ejaculation, then the root cause goes beyond just alcohol. 

Vaping & Sexual Performance: Does it Help or Hinder?

Vaping after sex (or even during) shouldn’t be a surprise – after all, it’s been the cliché to light up a stick during post-coital bliss. In the past decade, vaping emerged as a “healthier” alternative to cigarettes, and many people assumed they could enjoy their post-coital ritual without the guilt (and stench of cigarettes). 

But here’s what the science actually says: if there’s nicotine in your vape, you’re still putting your sex life at risk.

The Nicotine Problem

Yes, vaping differs from traditional cigarettes. There’s no smoke, fewer harmful chemicals, and you can choose liquids that contain various nicotine levels, even zero, which sounds like the perfect compromise.  

However, the reality is more complicated. 

According to Dr. Sohere Roked, quoted in Glamour Magazine, vaping has been shown to cause erectile dysfunction in men and decreased lubrication in women, along with a higher chance of not achieving orgasm.

Why, you ask? Because nicotine, regardless of how it’s delivered to your body, reduces your sexual arousal.  It causes your blood vessels to narrow and restricts blood flow throughout your body, and your genitals are a part of your body so go figure.

For those with penises, this translates directly into erectile difficulty (ED) issues. For those with vulvas, it means reduced natural lubrication, decreased sensitivity, and challenges reaching orgasm.

The Vaping and Sex Connection

Aside from lighting up after sex (some people say it gives them a mind rush while relaxing them at the same time), some people just don’t like the taste of tobacco mouth or the smoke in general. Then there is the issue of second-hand smoke.

Also, in recent years, there has been an emerging trend of vaping during the act of sex itself, couples immersed in the swirls, clouds, and smells.

There are also fetishes surrounding smoking – human ashtrays, capnolagnia (being turned on by the sight and smell of someone smoking), integrating vaping with other kinky or BDSM practices like flogging or pegging. (Unfortunately), there are hundreds of thousands of porn videos dedicated to sexual vaping, which can be as tame as someone just sitting there all the way to blowing smoke in complicated patterns or into various orifices.

The Bottom Line on Vaping

Here’s where we stand:

Is vaping better than smoking cigarettes? Yes, generally speaking.

Should non-smokers start vaping? Absolutely not.

Is vape juice with nicotine a good substitute for cigarettes? No, you’re still exposing yourself to the same sexual health problems.

Is vaping safe overall? We don’t know yet.

Vaping is still relatively new, which means long-term scientific studies are limited. We’re operating in a gray area where the research hasn’t caught up with the trend. What we do know is that nicotine, in any form,negatively impacts sexual function.

If you’re using vaping as a tool to quit smoking, that’s one thing. But if you’re vaping with nicotine regularly, especially as a non-smoker who picked up the habit, you’re trading one set of sexual health problems for another.

Stress Kills (Your Sex Life)

If alcohol and vaping are the vices you can see and taste, stress (as many people refer to it) is the silent killer of your sex life. Unfortunately its side effects are not as pronounced as hangovers or nicotine highs, instead, it quietly accumulates until you realize you haven’t felt genuinely aroused in weeks or months.

How Stress Sabotages Your Sexuality

According to Psychology Today, stress can fundamentally change how our bodies and minds view sex. Since stress puts your body in a constant fight-or-flight mode, it prioritizes surviving over reproduction thanks to evolutionary traits which helped our cave dwelling ancestors survive.  

For AFAB individuals, chronically high stress levels can lead to:

• Dramatically reduced libido
• Difficulty becoming aroused
• Hormonal imbalances affecting desire and mood
• Vaginal dryness making sex uncomfortable
• Inability to relax enough to enjoy intimacy

For AMAB persons, stress manifests as:

• Erectile difficulties or complete dysfunction
• Premature ejaculation from anxiety
• Lowered testosterone levels
• Decreased interest in sex
• Performance anxiety that creates a vicious cycle

The cruel irony? Sex actually reduces your stress levels, but when you’re too stressed to want sex, you’re just missing out on one of nature’s best stress-relief mechanisms. 

It should go without saying that stress also negatively impacts your relationship. When you’re overwhelmed, you’re less present with your partner, more irritable, and less emotionally available. 

How to Improve Your Sex Life

The good news: recognizing that you’re dealing with one of these vices is the first important step toward changing them. The bad news: we know that change is hard, especially if these vices have been part of your daily routine for years. 

But, the payoff is worth it, not just for better sex, but for your overall health and wellbeing.

Cutting Back on Alcohol

We’re not saying to quit drinking entirely (unless that works for you and a healthcare professional has suggested this). Instead, focus on moderation and being mindful:

• Set clear limits before you start drinking
• Choose quality over quantity
• Create alcohol-free days each week to reset your system
• Find alternative ways to relax
• If you drink to reduce social anxiety, work on addressing that anxiety first.

Quitting Vaping (Especially Nicotine)

If you’re using vaping to quit smoking, work with your healthcare professional on a plan to gradually reduce nicotine levels. If you’re vaping recreationally:

• Set a quit date and tell supportive friends and family
• Remove vaping devices from easy access
• Identify your triggers (after meals, during breaks, when stressed) and create new rituals
• Replace the hand-to-mouth habit with healthier alternatives like sugar-free gum or crunchy vegetables (yes we sound like your mom)
• Consider nicotine replacement therapy if you’re struggling with withdrawal
• Join a support group or use quit-vaping apps for accountability

The first two weeks are typically the hardest. After that, cravings become less frequent and intense. 

Managing Stress Effectively

Stress management isn’t about eliminating stress entirely—that’s impossible. It’s about developing healthier ways to process and respond to it:

Physical strategies:

• Regular exercise (even just 20-30 minutes of walking daily makes a difference)
• Sleep 7-9 hours per night
• Deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation

Mental and emotional strategies:

• Therapy or counseling to address underlying anxiety or depression
• Mindfulness or meditation practices
• Journaling to process thoughts and feelings

Social support:

• Maintaining strong connections with friends and family
• Joining groups or communities with shared interests
• Talking openly with your partner about stress and its effects

The Long-Term Benefits Are Worth It

Quitting or reducing these vices isn’t easy. There will be uncomfortable moments, cravings, and setbacks. But the health benefits extend far beyond improved sexual function:

• Better cardiovascular health and blood flow
• Improved mental clarity and mood stability
• Enhanced energy levels
• Stronger immune system
• Better sleep quality
• Reduced risk of serious health conditions
• Improved relationship satisfaction
• Greater emotional resilience

Your body wants to heal and return to optimal functioning. Give it the chance by removing the obstacles you’ve inadvertently placed in its way.

Reconnecting with Your Sexuality

As you work on reducing these harmful habits, you might need to rebuild your relationship with sex and pleasure. This is where patience and self-compassion become crucial.

Consider exploring your sexuality in low-pressure ways. Sex toys can help you reconnect with physical pleasure on YOUR terms and without the performance anxiety that comes with partnered intimacy. 

Conclusion

Your daily habits are shaping your sex life more than you think. That after-work drink, the cheeky vape you use to decompress and the chronic stress that has been a part of your life for decades are all quietly eroding your sexual health and overall satisfaction.

Change is hard, but the good news is that you have the power to make those changes. As the old saying goes, Rome was not built in a day so every small step goes towards making your life and sex life better. 

Take the first step today. Your future self will thank you.