Alcohol 100% Toxic
Wanna have a drink ? When looking at the drink featured in the picture, memories of the last party, the last meeting with good friends, or the relaxing time at some beach club arise. We quickly and often associate these images with a good time. We drink something, break out of ourselves, pretend, forget the daily grind, reward or numb ourselves. We run away from everyday life and stress but don’t solve any problems with it. For many, it provides short-term happiness, for others, it leads to ruin, death, homelessness, and the decay of relationships. What is elegantly portrayed above actually features one of the most harmful drugs on earth, and yet it is the most accepted.
Alcohol, consumed over thousands of years, is an integral part of life in most societies, with an existence without it being scarcely imaginable for many. From the after-work beer, the champagne toast on New Year’s, red wine accompanying a good steak, a digestive schnapps, to a refreshing cocktail on the beach, there seems to be almost no situation where we don’t find a reason to consume alcohol.
Nowadays, often the very young person or the very old individual finds themselves with alcohol; it spans every age, every layer of society. Every store, whether the small shop around the corner, the gas station, the airport, or the beach vendor. Advertisements, although now less glaring, in a certain form are everywhere, cleverly concealed but well-placed so that we perceive the presence of alcohol. It is available everywhere at any minute and any time of the year, nearly at all latitudes.
Our society has accepted this toxic drug, responsible for the death of millions annually, without much astonishment; almost everyone indulges in it. Those who abstain are often viewed as peculiar, burdened with the stigma of a problem. Questions arise about whether one has an issue with alcohol or is dependent. Why else would someone not drink? Few understand a simple “no.” How can one not have a drink at a party with close friends and acquaintances? How can someone make contact with strangers in a bar or approach a crush in a club without being a bit tipsy? Unimaginable for many, yet it’s a significant paradox in our society.
In an era of increasing health consciousness, with one fitness trend, matcha latte, and super fruit bowl trend after another, where one must do this and that to stay fit — countless squats, push-ups, adequate sleep, not forgetting the ice bath — we forget the most harmful of all, where our bodies would benefit the most from abstinence.
Alcohol, a ubiquitous substance, exerts its influence on virtually every organ in the body, from head to toe. Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, is swiftly absorbed through both the gastric mucosa and the small intestines, reaching peak concentrations 20 to 60 minutes after ingestion. Once inside, it undergoes conversion to acetaldehyde, a notably toxic component.
The global toll of alcohol-related mortality is staggering, claiming the lives of approximately 3 million people annually. This grim statistic encompasses a spectrum of chronic disorders induced by alcohol, including liver cirrhosis and the tragic consequences of car accidents. In the United States, alcohol stands as the fourth leading cause of preventable death, trailing only smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Painting a vivid picture of consumption patterns, Germany, for example, registers an average alcohol intake of around 10.7 liters per person per year. This statistic underscores the widespread nature of alcohol use across different societies.
The repercussions of excessive alcohol consumption manifest in a myriad of disorders. Foremost among them is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), a chronic condition marked by an inability to control or cease drinking, even in the face of adverse consequences. Alcoholic Liver Disease, Pancreatitis, and Polyneuropathy are among the physical ailments directly linked to alcohol abuse. Additionally, alcohol contributes to the development of high blood pressure, depression, and increases the risk of various cancers.
In essence, alcohol, while deeply ingrained in social and cultural practices, exacts a heavy toll on human health. The intricate web of its effects, ranging from individual organs to societal well-being, underscores the imperative for awareness and interventions to mitigate the far-reaching consequences of alcohol misuse.
Next time, try to have a good time without alcohol. It is easily possible, and I think it underscores one’s true character. Why pretend? One should be who they are. There’s no need to drink for courage or coolness, as many believe. In fact, relying on alcohol only accentuates weakness and, in retrospect, seems rather foolish.
If you find yourself struggling with alcoholism, seek professional medical help. There is always a way out.
Water instead of Ethanol.
Sources:
Amboss, Medscape (Alcoholism)
