Alcohol is a socially-accepted drug, consumed every day in enormous quantities; a chemical substance that affects the body and mind, and is not considered “bad” by the general public or the law.
It is the most important self-administered drug and it is more dangerous than some illegal drugs.
Most people forget that alcohol is a drug and that drinking it brings many problems not only for the consumer but also for those whom they have to relate with.
Alcohol is not only a socially-accepted drug: it is a killer, a silent killer hidden behind a mask of enjoyment. But one day the mask falls and the real face of the killer is exposed.
Alcohol the socially-accepted killer
Alcohol is high in calories, has no nutritional value and kills in many different ways.
The World Health Organisation says alcohol abuse is the third leading cause of death and disability in the world.
Alcohol is also a leading cause of death amongst the youth as 320,000 people between the ages of 15 and 29 are found to die yearly from alcohol-related causes.
In spite of all the advice, information and real cases being reported, many of these deaths continue to be caused by drunk-driving. “It may happen to others, but it’s not going to happen to me”. But it may really happen.
Other health impacts of alcohol, such as alcohol poisoning, cirrhosis of the liver, fetal alcohol syndrome and related disorders, should not be forgotten.
Alcohol can produce detectable impairments in memory after only a few drinks and, as the amount of alcohol increases, so does the degree of impairment. Large quantities of alcohol, especially when consumed quickly and on an empty stomach, can produce a blackout, or an interval of time when the intoxicated person cannot recall details of events, or even entire events.
Moreover, the risk of sexual assault, robbery, contracting sexually-transmitted diseases or aggressive behaviour goes up.
Furthermore, some become abusive of, or chemically dependent on, alcohol, which can open the door to many issues for the individual as well as their family.
Alcohol is responsible for more deaths than any other drug besides cigarettes.
Cigarettes, in recent years, have become heavily regulated and are becoming less socially acceptable as they are banned from restaurants and even public streets and parks. Yet alcohol remains one of the most dangerous, yet acceptable drugs around.
We are told that alcohol is less harmful and less serious than illegal drugs, but research proves this is not true.
In the long run, the social acceptance of alcohol in our society has overall negative impacts on us. We need to make alcohol less socially-acceptable.
This will help to stop the peer pressure to consume it during almost every occasion or social gathering.
As a society, we need to create awareness about the dangers of alcohol and end the myth that alcohol is harmless “fun” and should be used to “relax”.
Most people who have alcohol-related health problems are not alcoholics. They are simply people who, for some years, have regularly drunk more than the recommended levels.
I am sure you all probably know but here we go again:
• Men should not regularly drink more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol a day.
• Women should not regularly drink more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day.
• If you’ve had a heavy-drinking session, avoid alcohol for 48 hours.
• ‘Regularly’ means drinking these amounts every day or most days of the week.
• Regularly drinking more than the recommended daily limits risks damaging your health.
• There’s no guaranteed safe level of drinking, but if you drink less than the recommended daily limits, the risks of harming your health are low.
Alcohol’s hidden harms usually only emerge after a number of years.
But it may be too late by then…
Best healthy wishes,
Dr. Maria Alice
By Dr Maria Alice
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Dr Maria Alice is a consultant in General and Family Medicine. General Manager/Medical Director – Luzdoc International Medical Service. Medical Director – Grupo Hospital Particular do Algarve
