Is alcohol for mental health really that good? In some parts of the world, Alcohol Awareness Week is celebrated. Alcohol has been a favorite drink for many teens and adults. Most of them use it as a recreational drink to fill their past time or to forget about some recent events. Truthfully, alcohol consumption is effective about these. However, alcohol has impacted the lives of many, especially Filipinos. Have you ever heard of tuba, lambanog, basi, coconut wine, and other local Filipino alcoholic drinks with different flavors and alcoholic levels? If yes, then you know that there’s at least a group of people in your place that drinks them on various occasions.
Filipinos love to drink alcohol. But the 2016 statistics don’t look good for Filipino alcoholic drinkers out there. It has been recorded that at least 4 million citizens suffered death from liver cirrhosis due to uncontrolled alcoholic consumption. While it’s understandable that Filipinos drink alcohol to relieve stress, anxiety, and other physical and mental restraints, most of them are troubling trouble regulating their alcohol consumption. Instead of turning to Filipino mental health strategies through local mental health professionals, they turn to alcoholic drinks. These are the kind of people who fall into the trap of alcohol addiction. In this blog, we will be tackling alcohol for mental health: statistics, perks, perils, and how to effectively battle alcohol addiction.
Alcohol for Mental Health: Is it Making A Better Filipino?
Alcohol may taste sour or bitter, but it certainly makes a person feel better–at least temporarily. According to a data coming from WHO, 86 million Filipinos ages 15 and older have alcoholism. This is the term used to describe a condition that revolves around alcohol addiction. In fact, there are 25% male drinkers compared to 8.3% female drinkers ages 18 above. The alcohol marketing plays in the local and international market a part in creating young alcoholic drinkers. In fact, there are no restrictions on the marketing of alcoholic brands to minors. Alcohol companies continue to gain the upper hand in targeting the young generation through sponsorship events like festivals, mall shows, etc. Though they may not be of legal age to drink, the thought that alcohol makes them cool is implanted in their minds.
Alcohol companies are not just the culprit, too. Role models in the family play a role in teaching their teens and young adults about the perks of alcohol. Older adults would say that it’s okay to drink alcohol when they turn 18, but these adept adults don’t tell them to moderate their drinking. Another factor that encourages binge drinking is the influence of alcohol-loving peers who would want every individual to fit in and therefore, get them into drinking. A lesser culprit is self-curiosity where a person indulges in alcohol simply because he is curious about how it tastes or how it feels like to be hit with booze. These are some ways on how a person gets into this conventional fermented drink, not knowing the impact of alcohol for mental health.
The Perks of Alcohol
Alcohol is indeed an effective cool-down drink. It eases anxiety and relieves stress. It can also make the user feel elated or soothed because of its properties. But contrary to the popular notion that it is a stimulant, a term used to increase happy emotions and rewarding behaviors. Thus, the perks of using alcohol are:
- Feeling blissful
- Effective coping mechanism against stress and anxiety
- Some alcohol, like red wine, can help burn fat
- Nature-derived and fermented alcohol like red wine can help prevent cardiovascular disease
- It lowers the risk of diabetes
There are other health benefits of drinking alcohol particularly from drinking healthy booze like red and white wine. However, it has high alcohol content so it makes a person gets drunk faster. it’s not the same for conventional alcoholic drinks like root beer, vodka, martini, and the like. They have lower alcohol content and far more cheaper. Thus, they are public favorites.
Perils of Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol, when not abused, is actually beneficial. However, if not moderated, the dangers of alcohol can come out as life-threatening. The perils of alcohol overconsumption are:
- Alcohol addiction
- High blood pressure
- Liver cirrhosis
- Stroke
- Other health problems
Alcohol addiction is the most common effect of alcoholism due to overconsumption. Alcohol for mental health isn’t all a good story. Yes, it can elevate distressing emotions up to one point, but it will also lead you further into serious medical conditions like depression and anxiety. One of the effects of alcoholism is uncontrolled actions that can develop into crime or self-harm.
How to Help A Person Addicted to Alcohol
When you know someone who spends their day or evening drinking more than two bottles of alcoholic drinks, then you know that they need professional help. There are drug rehabilitation available and qualified mental health professionals to assist, but you can help them, too. Early treatment and intervention can happen through:
- Be frank yet kind to the one struggling with alcohol – you have to be able to tell them honestly about what you’ve noticed with their alcohol consumption. Take it easy when you strike a conversation and speak in a neutral but calm voice. Tell them that you’ve detected that they’re drinking much more alcohol and they might need help.
- Offer your support – no matter what’s the reaction of the person struggling with alcohol use, you should show them love and support. Speak to them words of assurance that they can overcome their challenge and become sober for their sake.
- Intervene if needed – if the person refuses to get help, then you might consider talking to his close friends and family members. You can even invite a professional mental health counsellor for help. It would be helpful if you could get the telephone details of your local alcohol and drug rehabilitation center.
Alcohol for Mental Health: The Verdict
Alcohol has its perks, but the perils are indeed drastic both physically and mentally. If you ever struggle with alcohol overconsumption, you can seek help from us.
Check out our services for more info.