ALCOHOL consumption is always a controversial subject to discuss.
As much as many people may enjoy drinking alcohol and its effects such as the induced feeling of euphoria, there are many known effects of alcohol on the human body, including psychological and social effects.
Many drinkers have been heartened in recent years by the news from several studies that alcohol may actually be good for you.
However, it must be stressed that drinking alcohol is only beneficial if it’s done in moderation.
Alcohol dependency is one of the most common drug problems all over the world.
One person in 13 is believed to be an alcoholic.
Several million more people drink too much and are at risk of alcohol abuse.
Alcohol addiction is a serious issue.
Alcohol consumption is linked to 80 percent of suicides, 50 percent of murders, 30 percent of fatal road crashes and 15 percent of drownings.
It is also a factor in one in three divorces and one in three cases of child abuse.
Drinking alcohol can increase the likelihood of cirrhosis of the liver, harm an unborn child and has been linked to breast cancer in women and cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, pharynx, larynx and liver.
Heavy drinking has also been associated with poor sexual performance, dementia and muscle degeneration.
On the other hand moderate drinking in middle age has been shown to reduce deaths from heart disease by about one third.
An Australian study showed the heart attack risk is lowest among men who report one to four drinks daily on five or six days a week and for women who have two standard drinks a day, five or six days a week.
What is moderate drinking?
There is controversy over what moderate drinking is.
A common guideline is one standard drink a day for women and two for men – and no heavy drinking sessions at all.
Another recommendation is three or four small drinks for men three or four times a week and two or three small drinks for women three or four times a week.
UK health authorities suggest a limit of 14 drinks a week for women and 21drinks a week for men.
Many people fall outside these guidelines and some could have an alcohol problem.
The definition of a standard drink also varies, but a general guide is one can of beer, one small glass of wine and one nip of spirits.
There is no strong evidence that wine drinking is any better than drinking beer or spirits.
Women need to drink less than men because they have less fluid in their bodies so alcohol has a stronger effect.
They are also smaller than men.
People with low body weight and a small frame should drink less than others.
What are the warning signs of a drinking problem?
Some of the early signs of a drinking problem include:
- drinking faster than others
- thinking of ways to get extra drinks when socialising with others
- spending too much money on alcohol
- denying the problem and understating how much you are drinking
- feeling guilt or remorse about drinking
- memory loss while drinking
- promising to drink less
- drinking to cope with normal stress
The “CAGE” questionnaire is commonly used for people to find out if they have an alcohol problem.
Answer the questions honestly:
- Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
- Have people Annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had an “Eye opener” – a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves?
Just one “yes” answer indicates a possible drinking problem.
“Yes” to more than one question suggests a likely drinking problem.
Even if you answered “no” to all the questions but your drinking is causing problems with relationships, your job, or the law, you should seek help.
When does problem drinking become alcoholism?
There is no standard definition of alcoholism.
However, it is generally linked to an uncontrollable urge to drink, needing to drink more to feel the effects, and chronic intoxication.
A strong craving for alcohol, not being able to stop drinking and suffering withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness when sober are all symptoms of alcoholism.
The need for alcohol may become as strong as the desire for food or water.
The majority of alcoholics cannot stop drinking without treatment and support.
People who cannot go without a drink for three days in a row may be alcoholics.
It is not unusual for heavy drinkers to deny they have a problem.
Men who drink more than six drinks a day and women who have more than four drinks a day are drinking too much and run the risk of illness or alcohol-related problems.
What are the effects of alcohol on unborn children?
Women are advised to abstain from alcohol when they become pregnant or are trying for a baby.
Exposing the foetus to alcohol can cause birth defects known as foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
The condition is normally found in babies of mothers who drank excessively during pregnancy.
However, studies have also shown it can occur with mothers having just one drink a day.
Infants with FAS may be born small, have problems with eating and sleeping, seeing and hearing, following directions, paying attention at school and making friends.
In serious cases the child may need medical care all their lives and need special-aide teachers.
What can be done to help?
If you think you drink too much try to limit your intake.
Alcoholics are advised to give up drinking altogether.
Write down your reasons for cutting down.
You may want to do it for health reasons, to sleep better or wake up in the morning without a hangover.
Decide before drinking how many drinks you will have and stick to that.
Reward yourself with a treat for keeping to your limit.
Team up with a friend and help support each other to drink less.
Avoid rounds because this can make you drink more.
Put your glass down between sips to stop drinking as fast.
Pace your drinks by having a non-alcoholic drink in between alcoholic ones.
If you are worried about how much you are drinking go and do something else – dance or take time out for five minutes.
It may pay to avoid people and places that make you drink while you are cutting down.
Try to have three alcohol0-free days a week.
Learn to say “NO” to a drink.
Don’t give up if you are not successful the first time.
Many people need a few trial runs before reaching their goal.
Seek help from a treatment programme.
Most heavy drinkers cannot give up without professional guidance.
Medicines are also available which cause nasty side effects when alcohol is consumed.
How can alcohol abuse be prevented?
Many people are believed to inherit a drinking addiction from their parents.
If your parent was or is a heavy drinker then you could be at risk.
You need to watch the amount you drink.
People can control their drinking by having three alcohol-free days a week, and by not drinking more than four alcoholic beverages in one sitting.
Switch to low-alcohol beer and mix drinks with non-alcoholic drinks like lemonade.