This article is a follow-up on one written earlier by a senior colleague and Brother, Bro Dr. Adu Appiah-Kubi, RETHINK YOUR DRINKING, published on the webpage on July 27, 2017. It also seeks to answer the question of whether alcohol is really good for our health, a very common excuse for its abuse even among professionals.
SO WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
It is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid produced by the natural fermentation of sugars. It is an intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent such as fuel.
Alcohol is also a depressant drug. It slows down various sections of the brain and the central nervous system. Thus your ability to control your behavior and your bodily functions, like thinking, talking, walking and even breathing is compromised.
HISTORY.
The brewery of alcoholic beverages dates back to around 7000BC when it was consumed in fruits and berries. Alcohol produced from fermentation in fruits can reach levels as high as 5%, similar to the strength of modern beers.
In our traditional context too, it is an essential part of the traditional marriage ceremony. Thus in order to get a wife, you need alcohol. Ironical right? It is also a traditional medium in communicating with the spirit world, hence needful in pouring libation and performing sacrifices. During social functions and gatherings, alcohol provides that pleasure. Some traditional medicines also have alcohol as a potent backbone.
However, the most abhorred, eschewed and denigrated people in our communities are those labelled as “alcoholics” for their abuse and addiction.
But let’s note, throughout history up to modern day, a subtle theme runs through, MODERATE consumption. This is what is deemed good for both health and pleasure. Anything more either on specific occasions or on a regular basis is obviously unhealthy.
SO WHAT IS MODERATE?
In modern medical practice, both men and women are advised to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week. These units should be spread throughout the week and should have at least 2 alcohol free days a week. In other words, 2.8 units of alcohol are permissible each day.
THESE LEVELS ARE SAID TO BE BENEFICIAL TO CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Now, before taking any bottle of beer, figure out how many units it contains. Multiply the total volume in the bottle (in ml) by its ABV (measured in percentage) and divide the product by 1000. So for a bottle of 330mls of beer and alcohol of 11.1%, (330×11.1)/1000= 3.7units (obviously beyond our daily requirement)
ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Alcohol addiction affects the people around the user as much as it affects the user. The brain’s pleasure circuit is adversely affected and with time the strong urge to use alcohol controls the person’s behaviour.
AM I LIKELY TO GET ADDICTED?
Yes you are in so far as you have a daily habit of drinking but riskier if you have a family history of alcohol addiction. A past medical history of alcohol related problems is very relevant as well as psychological problems like anxiety and depression. If you have been a temperamental child or adult with anger tantrums, impulsivity, moodiness and anxiety then you have a likelihood of addiction.
DO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCHOHOL?
Answer the following. If you answer yes to any of these, you MAY have a drinking problem and if yes to two or more then you are LIKELY to have a drinking problem.
- Have you felt you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have you been annoyed by the criticism you received from others because of your alcohol consumption?
- Have had guilty feelings about drinking?
- Do you drink or have the urge to drink alcohol in the mornings as an eye opener?
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM DEPENDENT ON ALCOHOL?
If you agreed to 3 or more of the following statements and had followed this pattern for over a year, you are most likely to be dependent on alcohol
- I have a strong desire to consume alcohol, for which I’m unable to control myself
- On many occasions I decided to stop/reduce the amount of alcohol I would drink but I end up drinking more
- With time I drank more than I previously did to get the same pleasure.
- If a missed a day without drinking, I would get irritated, my hands would shiver, I couldn’t sleep and thus I had to drink again
- I spend a lot of time in thinking about alcohol and how I would get it
- I know drinking alcohol is harmful but I find it difficult to stop
MEDICAL EFFECTS
The medical effects of alcohol cannot be overemphasized. From liver damage, loss of memory, tingling of the nerves to stomach ulcers. The effects are numerous and the complications are life threatening. Peculiar also to women is the risk of Fetal alcohol syndrome in the unborn child, a condition that presents with mental retardation and congenital malformation. So for women within the fertility age group especially those planning a family, avoidance of alcohol abuse is a must.
CONCLUSION
Clearly the best way to avoid any problem with alcohol is to avoid alcohol itself. Let’s be smart, before you take up any bottle of beer, know how much of alcohol you are consuming, if it’s within recommended daily units. Learn to stand against pressure from friends and remember, no one has ever been prescribed alcohol to stay healthy.
Temples are free to enter, offertories are not compulsory. Pubs charge and beer is sold yet we patronise. We ignore inner peace and pay for self destruction.