What is the True Cost of Alcohol?

Like all good things in life, alcohol has an evil twin sister. It helps us feel good yet burns our liver. It helps people meet and at times makes them part in less than pleasant ways. I love my beer and am not immune to other forms of alcohol. I am not talking to you as a preacher would, but as a fellow social drinker. Ok that is now out of the way. Let us now talk about the true cost of alcohol.

Drinking Cultures

Drinking culture refers to the customs and practices of people who drink alcoholic beverages. I happen to have lived in two countries with strong drinking cultures (Australia and Kenya). I have seen first hand the joys of alcohol and the impact of alcohol on individuals, families and societies.

According to ConvictCreations.com, “Australia used to be one of the world’s great drinking nations. It is believed that during the Convict era, when rum was used as currency, the colony’s inhabitants drank more alcohol per capita that any other time in human history. The high rate of consumption is understandable considering that the first fleet brought enough food for two years and enough grog for four”.

Kenyans love their alcohol, just like Aussies do. One of the most successful companies in Kenya is East African Breweries. The company claims to be responsible for “bringing people together” with its range of beverage brands that appeal to a huge portion of the population.

There are many reasons for drinking or abstaining from alcohol, many of which are influenced by culture. But regardless of the drinking culture in your country, neighborhood or city, you should make conscious decisions on what level of drinking is good for you.

The Benefits of Alcohol

• Moderate consumption of alcohol helps people in socializing and relaxation. Social drinking plays an important role in such social functions as dating. For example, a person buying another a drink at a singles bar is a gesture that one is interested in the other and often initiates conversation, or at least flirtation.
• Alcohol helps people see the world in a new perspective. “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beer holder”.
• Moderate consumption of alcohol helps prevent some diseases such as coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke in older people. There is very little health benefit for alcohol consumption by people aged less than 45 years.

NB: I have spent more than two hours flying around the internet looking for the benefits of alcohol. I did not find much. Most of the claims of alcohol being beneficial to health have been rebutted by more scientific evidence. It looks like the science community long decided that alcohol is not good for us. <sobs>

Binge drinking

Binge drinking is sometimes defined as drinking alcohol solely for the purpose of intoxication, although it is quite common for binge drinking to apply to a social situation, creating some overlap in social and binge drinking. Some researchers define binge drinking as a woman consuming four drinks and a man consuming five drinks on an occasion. Could you be a Binge Drinker?

The Effects of Binge Drinking and Alcohol

While I could not find too many positives to do with alcohol, I found the following negatives. Please drink responsibly or better yet – quit!

• Calories – With 7 calories per gram, the number of calories in alcohol is second only after fat (9 cals/g). If you are trying to control your weight, avoid alcohol. Alcohol will thwart your weight loss efforts more than most foods.
• Hangovers – A hangover describes the sum of unpleasant physiological effects following heavy consumption of drugs, particularly alcoholic beverages. The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, and thirst.
• Accidents – Alcohol related accidents include traffic accidents, domestic or work related accidents. They may result in serious injury or death.
• Break ups – Alcohol may fuel irrational behavior such as jealousy and violence that may break up relationships and families.
• Flow on effects to other parts of your life – Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol spreads its negative energy to other areas of life. For example, heavy drinkers are less likely to be productive at work.
• Hinders creativity – Alcohol slows down the brain functions and impairs creativity. If you want to succeed in life you need a fresh beautiful mind that is free from alcohol.
• Escapism – you should face your fears and demons and address underlying issues instead of finding solace in the bottle.
• Types of Friends – If you surround yourself with drinking buddies everyday or even just during the weekends, you may be missing out on a whole lot of people out there. There are many good people who do not hit the clubs or pubs. They may be the friends that may make you happy or help make a difference in your life. Avoid the myth that deals are made in pubs. The big deals are made when sober.
• Wastes time – Alcohol is the thief of time. Time spent recovering from hangovers or sitting at a pub could be used for other pursuits in life. Remember there is an opportunity cost for every hour of drinking.
• Alcoholism - Continuous heavy drinking over a long period of time can lead to a person becoming physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol.
• Expensive - Alcohol is expensive, not just in the money that you spend buying beer, wine or spirits, but in the opportunity cost and consequences of drinking. Decide if the price is right for you.
• Health Problems – Significant damage to the brain and liver.
• Depression and suicide – Alcohol can fuel depression and suicidal tendencies.
• Amnesia – Amnesia means the loss of memory; forgetfulness. Alcohol leads to temporary and even permanent amnesia.

Breaking Free from Binge Drinking

• Set limits for yourself and stick to them
• Try having a ‘spacer’ – alternating non-alcoholic drinks with alcoholic drinks
• Drink slowly. Take sips not gulps
• Try low alcohol alternatives
• Eat before or while you are drinking, avoid salty snacks, they make you thirsty
• Have one drink at a time, so you can keep track
• Avoid sculling competitions, and drinking games
• Stay busy – don’t just sit and drink
• Be assertive – don’t be pressured into drinking more than you want or intend to.

Seven Humorous Side effects of Alcohol…. And remedies!!! (Courtesy of Sam @ Kasarani.com)

1. Symptom: Cold and humid feet.

Cause: Glass is being held at incorrect angle (You are pouring the Drink on your feet).

Cure: Maneuver glass until open end is facing upward

2. Symptom: The wall facing you is full of lights.

Cause: You’re lying on the floor.

Cure: Position your body at a 90-degree angle to the floor.

3. Symptom: The floor looks blurry.

Cause: You’re looking through an empty glass.

Cure: Quickly refill with your favorite drink!

4. Symptom: The floor is moving.

Cause: You’re being dragged away.

Cure: At least ask where they’re taking you!

5. Symptom: You hear echoes every time someone speaks.

Cause: You have your glass on your ear.

Cure: Stop making a fool of yourself!

6. Symptom: Your dad and all your brothers are looking funny.

Cause: You’re in the wrong house.

Cure: Ask if they can point you to your house.

7. Symptom: The room is shaking a lot, everyone is dressed in white and the music is very repetitive.

Cause: You’re in an ambulance.

Cure: Don’t move. Let the professionals do their job.

Are you an Alcoholic?

Alcoholism refers to any condition that result in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite health problems and negative social consequences.

The Journal of the American Medical Association defines alcoholism as “a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking.”

The CAGE questionnaire, named for its four questions may be used to screen patients quickly in a doctor’s office. Two “yes” responses indicate that the respondent should be investigated further. The questionnaire asks the following questions:

1. Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?

2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

3. Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?

4. Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

The following test has been adapted from the NCADD Self -Test” (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – USA)

1.  Do you ever drink heavily when you are disappointed, under pressure or have had a quarrel with someone?

2. Can you handle more alcohol now than when you first started to drink?

3. Have you ever been unable to remember part of the previous evening, even though your friends said that you did not pass out?

4. When drinking with other people, do you try to have a few extra drinks when others won’t know about?

5. Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable if alcohol is not available?

6. Do you sometimes feel a little guilty about your drinking?

7. Are you in more of a hurry to get your first drink of the day than you used to be?

8. Has a family member or close friend ever expressed concern or complained about your drinking?

9. Have you been having more memory ‘blackouts’ recently?

10. Do you often want to continue drinking after your friends say they’ve had enough?

11. Do you usually have a reason for the occasions when you drink heavily?

12. When you’re sober, do you sometimes regret things you did or said while drinking?

13. Have you tried switching brands or drinks, or following different plans to control your drinking?

14. Have you sometimes failed to keep promises you made to yourself about controlling or cutting down on your drinking?

15. Have you ever had a DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) violation, or any other legal problem related to your drinking?

16. Do you try to avoid family or close friends while you are drinking?

17. Are you having more financial, work, school and/or family problems as a result of your drinking?

18. Has your physician ever advised you to cut down on your drinking?

19. Do you eat very little or irregularly during the periods when you are drinking?

20. Do you ever feel depressed or anxious before, during or after of heavy drinking?

Any “yes” answer indicates that you may be at a greater risk for alcoholism.  More than one “yes” answer may indicate the presence of an alcohol-related problem or alcoholism, and the need for consultation with a alcoholism professional.

Summary

The true cost of alcohol is very high. The cons outweigh the pros. Decide if you are willing to pay such a high price in your life before you have the next drink. Moderation is the key, but quitting is gold.

If you have any comments on the true cost of alcohol or a different opinion on any issue, please feel free to post in the comments section. Your comments are most welcome.

_{»crosslinked«}

Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.