They drink to forget they drink

Three young men in their twenties go on a binge, quarrel, two douse the third with a can of petrol and throw a match. We read ever so many times of such incidents. So much for what alcohol can do. That is the curse of drink. Today's youth, most of them, have become slave to that curse.

Voices are, now and then, raised against drink though how much they are heard is in question . At the same time those who have been, and are, in power do not seem to be keen on prohibition. And, sad to say, social workers too do not seem to devote much attenation to this evil.

Counsellors and doctors who treat addicts said that in Tamilnadu a number of youngsters had turned habitual drinkers only after prohibition was scrapped when the DMK began its rule. 'Earlier, people would drink on the sly, or may be, go to nearby Pondy. But now the rot has set in, and it is too late to go back,' they said

The next best thing is to check drinking. Educate the people. Tell them that even if liquor is available, not to buy it. Or, advise moderation to those who drink heavily and those who will not stop. They may cut down if they realise what they'd be in for if they turn addicts. 'Take smoking. Many have stopped. It is a great deal due to the ban on smoking in public places,' said a counsellor.

It is a pity no one backs those who cry foul on drink. For that matter if at all they try to protest in public they may end up being arrested on charges of blocking traffic. Today protests for laudable causes have little value.

'What is worrying is how many have become addicts, some so bad they are beyond redemption. Many in the prime of life, say in their thirties', said a spokesman of Nandini Voice for the Deprived, a social service organisation at Adyar, that has been doing much for the downtrodden. It has been doing quite a lot to wean youth from the curse of drink.

'Most hotels in Chennai have bars and at no time are they empty. If it is opening time you can find one or two nursing a drink. One may be a straggler, but surely the other will be a regular, And he's going to be there till nearly closing time.' That was what one counsellor told this writer.

An addict will drink till it harms him. If he still does not (or cannot) stop it means he has become an addict. Moreover, he will not know he is already suffering from addiction. He thinks drinking is normal, the effects on his life do not worry him.

Denial is a fundamental obstruction to the treatment of addiction. If the would-be-patient cannot accept the fact that he is suffering, he will reject all efforts to correct the behavioural defect. Implicit in this conception is the idea that the person who suffers the ill effects of his excessive drinking would stop the habit if he could. The fact that he can't stop makes it addiction. He drinks to forget he drinks

Drinking socially and even beyond normal amounts sems to have become a regular part of life. Some individuals, however, go beyond just drinking to the path of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease, although the textbook wording separates alcoholism into abuse and dependence. Alcoholism is largely psychological and it is usually diagnosed using a questionaire to help detect alcohol abuse.

If heavy dependency continues for long the alcoholic may , contract cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, heart disease, hypertension or worse. . Moreover, withdrawal can cause severe biophysical reactions. If you suspect a friend of alcoholism talk to him about the problem or try and get help from a doctor. Treating alcoholism usually involves going to a detox programe and attending support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. While battling alcoholism is a long road, alcohol abuse can be overcome with the possibility to live a normal life.

Increased tolerance against intoxication. The more we drink, the more our system gets used to alcohol. Our system would adapt itself correspondingly, and develop a certain level of immunity against inebriation. A high level of this particular resistance therefore, would point to a high level of habitual alcohol intake.

Alcohol abuse may not mean alcoholism. But alcoholics experience the many effects of alcohol abuse. It is akin to AIDS where advertisements are galore and propaganda multi-pronged at a cost of several crores. Life is to enjoy, so enjoy, as much as you want. But, use condoms. Sorry it looks so, in this land of one-man-one-wife. And, the government is yet to consider a scheme for free supply of condoms. Tasmac figures can at best be an indication for a commercial department but the turnover of the illicit trade, officials themselves say. is far above government salles. The poor and the lowly as well as the addict are invisible patrons as they willingly pay.

Chennai News Today