23-02-2013, 12:17 PM
AGAINST ALOCHOLISM
ALOCHOLISM.docx (Size: 19.88 KB / Downloads: 24)
Alcohol - Some Facts
Alcohol is a depressant drug that
slows down the activity of the brain
contains absolutely no nutrients
does not help relieve tension , induce sleep or solve problems
All alcoholic beverages contain the same mood-changing agent - ethyl alcohol though in varying percentage.45.55% 35-75% 10-12% 6 - 8%
Distilled Spirits Arrack Wine Beer / Toddy
(whisky, brandy, rum)
Alcohol needs no digestion and is absorbed rapidly into the blood stream.
Cold showers or coffee do not remove the effect of alcohol from the body only the liver can. It takes the liver about one hour to break down one drink of alcohol.
About 10 to 15% of alcohol users develop alcohol dependence and become alcoholics.
Anybody can become an alcoholic - age, education,
intelligence or socio-economic status has nothing to do with it. The person increases the quantity or frequency and continues drinking even though alcohol causes problems to his health, work life, family or social relationships.
Alcoholism is treatable.
With treatment it is possible to give up drinking totally and live without alcohol. However, as with other diseases, the earlier the help is sought, the lesser the damage and the better the recovery.
Alcohol and Medical Problems
Alcohol is a toxic substance that can affect each and every organ in the body. The major health problems associated with excessive alcohol intake are listed below.
Stomach the entry point
Slows down functioning and interferes with digestion
Irritates the lining of the food pipe and stomach
Causes gastritis and ulcer
Increases incidence of cancer
Liver metabolizes food to facilitate absorption
Can lead to fatty liver (sluggishness due to accumulation of fat cells)and alcoholic hepatitis (jaundice- like symptoms).
Permanent damage - cirrhosis
Brain the control centre
Slows down the functioning
Causes loss of inhibitions and affects judgment and coordination
Leads to depression, poor memory and concentration
Triggers psychiatric problems
Damages brain cells permanently
Heart the life line
Interferes with normal heart rhythm
Excessive alcohol use can
• damage blood vessels
• weaken heart muscles
• cause enlargement
Other effects
Neuritis tingling sensation, tremors in hands and feet
Pancreatitis painful inflammation of the pancreas
Degeneration of muscles due to protein loss
Malnutrition leading to many problems ranging from tiredness onto poor memory
Sexual problems
Alcohol Consumption in India
Alcohol consumption has been steadily increasing in developing countries like India and decreasing in developed countries since the 1980s.
The pattern of drinking to intoxication is more prevalent in developing countries indicating higher levels of risk due to drinking.
62.5 million alcohol users estimated in India Per capita consumption of alcohol increased by 106.7% over the 15-year period from 1970 to 1996.
Due to its large population, India has been identified as the potentially third largest market for alcoholic beverages in the world which has attracted the attention of multi national liquor companies.
Sale of alcohol has been growing steadily at 6% and is estimated to grow at the rate of 8% per year.
About 80% of alcohol consumption is in the form of hard liquor or distilled spirits showing that the majority drink beverages with a high concentration of alcohol.
Branded liquor accounts for about 40% of alcohol consumption while the rest is in the form of country liquor.
People drink at an earlier age than previously . The mean age of initiation of alcohol use has decreased from 23.36 years in 1950 to 1960 to 19.45 years in 1980 to 1990.
India has a large proportion of lifetime abstainers (89.6%). The female population is largely abstinent with 98.4% as lifetime abstainers. This makes India an attractive business proposition for the liquor industry.
Changing social norms, urbanization, increased availability, high intensity mass marketing and relaxation of overseas trade rules along with poor level of awareness related to alcohol has contributed to increased alcohol use.
Taxes generated from alcohol production and sale is the major source of revenue in most states (Rs.25,000 crores) and has been cited as a reason for permitting alcohol sale.
Four states - Gujarat, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland - have enforced prohibition.
Profile of clients in addiction treatment centers in 23 states (including states with prohibition) showed that alcohol was the first or second major drug of abuse in all except one state.
The Real Cost of Alcohol
Large amount of revenue is generated from sale of alcohol. Yet, the hidden , cumulative costs of health care, absenteeism and reduced income levels related to heavy alcohol use are higher.
These costs were estimated to be 60% more than the revenue generated in a study from Karnataka.
Health and safety:
Trauma, violence, organ system damage, various cancers, unsafe sexual practices, premature death and poor nutritional status of families with heavy drinking fathers are associated with alcohol use.
Hazardous drinking was significantly associated with severe health problems such as head injuries and hospitalizations. 15 to 20% of traumatic brain injuries were related to alcohol use. Thirty seven percent of injuries in a public hospital was due to alcohol.
Seventeen point six percent of psychiatric emergencies were caused by alcohol
Thirty four percent of those who attempted suicide were abusing alcohol
Work place:
Twenty percent of absenteeism and 40% of accidents at work place are related to alcohol.
Annual loss due to alcohol was estimated to be Rs.70 000 to 80000 million
In a public enterprise, number of workplace accidents reduced to lesser then one fourth of the previous levels after alcoholism treatment.
Family:
Eighty five percent of men who were violent towards their
wives were frequent or daily users of alcohol. More than h a l f o f t h e a b u s i v e i n c i d e n t s we r e u n d e r t h e influence of alcohol. An assessment showed that domestic violence reduced to one tenth of previous levels after alcoholism treatment.