Alcoholism and its serious impairments

S Thasthageer

Alcoholism (consuming arrack, whisky, brandy etc) is defined to be an illness or disease and has negative impacts in our day-to-day life. The important thing to note is that alcoholism is not a lifestyle choice. It is a disease, an actual impairment of the body’s health that prevents the person from functioning normally and causes not only pain to the alcoholic but also to family, friends and societies.

There are several reasons, one may say for taking liquor and the following can be identified as the circumstances or occasions where liquor is shared:

1. Participating at functions, funeral houses and weddings. Liquor is freely distributed for those who attend to such functions.

2. Friends got together and they enjoy drinking liquor leisurely.

3. Those who are obliged for certain services provided, are motivated to offer ‘a party’ with liquor to the person who helped him in obtaining the services.

Besides, those who take liquor, may justify themselves and the reasons are found to be nothing but pretending. They may say that they have to take liquor because they wanted to forget some incident i.e the death of close relative or friend. In fact, taking liquor on such occasions, may aggravate the feeling in mind and heart, causing adverse effect. Some say that they take liquor as an appetizer but on the contrary, it causes adverse affects on the liver. Some others say that they drink because of the line of work. This also cannot be accepted. Taking rest is sufficient to reduce tiredness. Taking liquor reduces depression according to some others, which also cannot be justified in the sense that alcoholism results in loss of control.

Once a drink is taken after sobriety, the alcoholic cannot control nor predict whether the drinking will be ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’. The alcohol controls the alcoholic - not vice versa.

The cause of alcoholism is not well established. There is growing evidence for genetic and biologic predispositions for this disease, but this research is controversial. Studies examining adopted children have shown that children of alcoholic biological parents have an increased risk of becoming alcohol dependent as well. Relatively recent research has implicated a gene (D2 dopamine receptor gene) that, when inherited in a specific form, might increase a person’s chance of developing alcoholism.

Usually, a variety of factors contribute to the development of a problem with alcohol. Social factors, such as, the influence of family, peers, and society, and the availability of alcohol, and psychological factors, such as, elevated levels of stress, inadequate coping mechanisms, and reinforcement of alcohol use from other drinkers can contribute to alcoholism. Also, the factors contributing to initial alcohol use may vary from those maintaining it, once the disease develops.

While it may not be causative, twice as many men are alcohol dependent. Statistics show alcohol problems are highest among adults aged 18-29, and those who start drinking before age 21 are at higher risk for developing alcoholism.

The alcoholics suffer from the following impacts or diseases: Bad odour in mouth, Ulcer/gastritis, Cirrhosis, nervous debility, Cancer, Asthma, Paralysis, opportunity to inflict HIV/AIDS, lack of sleep, tension, lose temper, sexual weakness and blindness.

Alcoholics also suffer at individual, family and community levels due to the habit. While this is not necessarily indicative of an alcohol problem, additional signs will be visible to others before they are accepted by the victim.

* An increase in the amount of alcohol required to achieve the same affect or ‘buzz’.
* Lapses in memory or ‘blackouts’.
* A feeling that a drink pattern is getting out of control.
* And in the final stages, the victim is unable to stop drinking for any lengthy period of time but derives little or no pleasure from alcohol consumption.

The most prevalent and pervasive symptom exhibited by the victim is that of denial: no problem exists. Chronic drinking and other related problems will be attributed to other causes.

Family members also may be in denial and protect the victim (calling in sick to work to cover for a hang over) or refuse to acknowledge destructive behaviour.

What is an intervention?

Clinically speaking, an intervention is a deliberate process by which change is introduced into one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour. In real life, a formal intervention involves people (family members, friends, loved ones) preparing themselves to have a respectful dialogue with someone involved in a destructive behaviour (alcoholism, drug abuse, eating disorder, etc). An interventionist guides the dialogue and keeps it within boundaries that are logical and constructive, even in the face of denial, anger, fear and sorrow.

The ultimate goal of the intervention is for the person involved in the destructive behaviour to listen and accept that they need help and most importantly accept the help being offered. This is the first step in relieving the pain and suffering that everyone involved is going through.

Following facts relating to alcoholism, could be taken in consideration:

* Popular cinema stars are used by companies selling arrack to play roles in cinemas, advertisements and teledramas as if consuming liquor in order to increase alcohol companies sales. Similarly the popular cricket players.

* Even in children’s cartoons, this habit has been motivated.

* Great Britain and American based companies, make money by selling alcohol and cigarettes, amounting to over Rs 150 million daily from Sri Lanka.

* Sri Lanka earns 12 percent taxes from sale of alcohol, whereas, 22 percent is spent for medical expenses for those affected due to alcoholism.

* There are 300,000 persons addicted to alcoholism and 40,000 persons addicted to drugs in Sri Lanka.

* Annually, 20,000 persons die of alcoholism in Sri Lanka.

* Rs 6.5 million is spent for the sale of alcohol in Sri Lanka daily and Rs 200 million is spent for same all over the world.

You may have heard...

* “If he didn’t drink, he’d be a very different and smart person.”
* “He’s a nice person when he’s not drinking.”
* “When he drinks, he becomes another person.”
* “Yet he is a very intelligent person.”

If you have an addiction and feel that you’re destroying:

* You, your family and society,
* Your career,
* You constantly risk your life when driving,
* You consume quickly for fear that you might get caught,
* You’re afraid of getting busted by the Police,
* You cheat, live a double life, and are afraid that someone will discover the games you play,
* You feel guilty,
* You’re ashamed of your behaviour,
* You think about suicide.

Certain suggestions to get rid of the habit of consuming arrack:

1. Select some other soft drink instead of alcohol.

2. Reduce the intake quantity of the alcohol and number of days consuming arrack.

3. Restrict to taking small quantity of alcohol only at night under unavoidable circumstances and give it up step by step.

4. If taken alcohol as a group, transform the group activities into community services or sports.

5. Avoid being in loneliness as far as possible.

6. If depressed, seek some other ways to relieve it.

Addiction, whether physical or psychological, is hard to explain.

It’s an uncontrollable force that develops within our minds. Our double personality leads us to do bizarre things, which are more like those of an animal than those of a human. Actions which are absolutely contrary to the will of our true character. The nature of addiction lies in the irresistible desire, whether continuous or fleeting, to acquire and consume whatever we may be addicted to. When under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, we feel compelled to do things that we don’t really want to do.

Addiction, regardless of the form it takes, is one of the greatest social catastrophes of our world. All segments of societies are affected.

The writer is a Regional Food and Drugs Inspector (Special Grade), National Co-ordinator for Anti Drugs and Temperance, All Ceylon YMMA, Colombo