Should Alcohol Usage Be Controlled?
Ethanol is the alcohol found in alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, and whisky. It is produced when yeast breaks down the sugars present in fruits, vegetables, and grains. According to Pharmacology Education, it is soluble in water and hence reaches all body parts. Ethanol is small sized making it easy to pass through the pores of membranes of the organs. Alcohol consumption has increased globally by 70% (Cohut, 2019 ). Is this advancement helpful for an individual and society?
Alcoholism has an impact on the physical, mental and social well-being of an individual. Garge and Kethan (2020) reported that ethanol in alcoholic drinks leads to changes in the body. Immediate health effects include falls and burns due to accidents, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, blurring of vision, and many more. Continued drinking has effects on all internal organs. The liver that cleanses suffers from the build-up of fat (fatty liver), swelling of the liver (hepatitis), and scar formation (cirrhosis) blocking blood flow. Thus elimination of toxins and drugs is affected. Cancers in the mouth, throat, voice box, liver, and breast are detected. In some types of cancers, drinking per day will increase the risk (Oxford Population Health, 2022).
Jellinek and McFarland (1940) reported that individuals experience mood swings, anxiety, depression, and stress. Brain injury leads to memory loss, coordination, and concentration. Thus, resulting in slow reaction time during work, driving, and sports. In its influence, individuals lose their senses, moving ahead with unprotected sex and many sex partners. Exposing to the risk of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. Complications relating to menstrual cycles (periods), miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth have been reported. Increased weight leading to heart diseases, increased blood pressure, and thinning of bones are also concerns. These unwell citizens cause an imbalance in society.
The entire family bears the damaging effects. Unemployment burdens the finances for medicine, education, and legal issues (Department of Health, 2022). According to WHO (2022), spouse beating, child abuse, conflicts with neighbors, and other forms of domestic abuse. Hence, loss of relationships. Homicides, suicides, and sexual assaults were reported (Murphy,2022). Students engaged in alcohol abuse showed a decline in their grades (Balsa, et al.,n.d.).Private and public properties are damaged, and law and order are directed to resolve these social issues. The Healthcare system and insurance companies were at a loss (Pompili, et al., 2000). A gain in revenue is hindered, though its intake is beneficial to some extent.
Occasional drinking in moderate amounts has a positive effect on health. As per Times Of India (2021), it raises good cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. Cells in the brain connect well, and thus risk of Alzheimer’s disease is reduced.
Apart from health, a boost in the economy was noticed. Worldwide revenue from alcoholic beverages rose from 1.49 trillion U.S. dollars in 2020 to an estimated 2.2 trillion U.S. dollars in 2025 (Statista, 2022). The income of India increased to Rs.1183 crore in 2021-21 from Rs.938 crore in 2019-20 (Sarkar, 2022).
WHO data (2021) reported from Lithuania, Scotland and Russia suggest first restrictions and later bans, helped control alcohol usage . In light of these arguments, the right action for a ban on alcoholic drinks is needed. It will bring harmony and growth to individuals and society. Follow the quote by M.K. Gandhi,” Alcohol is not the answer to all the questions.”
References:
Balsa,A.,Giuliano,M.L.,French,T.M.(2011).The effects of alcohol use on academic achievement in high school.PubMed. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026599/. [Last accessed on 12th October, 2022]
Jellinek, E.M., and McFarland, R.A.(1940).Analysis of psychological experiments on the effects of alcohol.APA PsycNet. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1940-05923-001.[Last accessed on 12th, October 2022]
Murphy, E.(2022).Alcohol, Drugs, and Crime.Recovered. https://recovered.org/addiction/alcohol-drugs-and-crime.[Last accessed on 12th ,October 2022]
Reducing harm due to alcohol: success stories from 3 countries. (2021).WHO.https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/15-04-2021-reducing-harm-due-to-alcohol.[Last accessed on 12th October, 2022]
Worldwide alcoholic beverage market revenue from 2012 to 2025. (2022). Statistica Research Department.https://www.statista.com/forecasts/696641/market-value-alcoholic-beverages-worldwide.[Last accessed on 12th October. 2022]