The costs and possible benefits of alcohol consumption
The Evolutionary Background
Raccoons and other animals may enjoy fermented grapes, which can intoxicate them in their natural environment. Our ancestors probably developed a similar tolerance for alcohol in their diet because they were omnivorous frugivores. This explains why our species evolved the two-step chemical pathways used to process alcohol.
Alcohol dehydrogenase is produced during the first stage of alcohol metabolism. This poisonous substance causes symptoms of hangover. When alcohol is consumed in small amounts, it can completely decompose into harmless compounds. Moderate drinkers can, therefore, consume alcohol without experiencing any adverse health effects.
However, regular alcohol consumption may have long-term adverse effects on one’s health, including high blood pressure and several issues with internal organs like the liver, kidneys, brain, and digestive system.
Alcohol’s Potential Health Benefits and Costs
Alcohol use is higher in populations that are probably healthier than average, such as the wealthy class in wealthy nations, despite visible adverse effects of alcohol. These anomalies baffle researchers, but affluent people may drink alcohol under favourable circumstances that boost their social networks and immune systems.
People in poverty tend to drink less, but they might drink more when they’re under stress, like when they lose their job. In general, there is not much social support for people in these situations.
The inconsistency in medical advice regarding alcohol may be due in part to the complexity of these effects. Men were once permitted to have three drinks daily, while women were advised to limit their intake to no more than two. The current rule is one drink for women and two for men, reflecting the intricate interplay of factors such as gender, body composition, and metabolism in alcohol’s effects.
(The physiological fact that men are typically heavier than women and that women have more fat tissue that retains alcohol and less muscle tissue that retains less alcohol is reflected in the gender difference.)
Therefore, even for moderate users, the effects of alcohol are highly complex. The consequences of alcoholism are comparable to those of any other severe addiction, including opiate addiction, if it is viewed as a disease state.
Alcohol Dependency Risk
We don’t fully understand why some people may drink in moderation throughout their lives while others may start drinking excessively in their teens. Naturally, many factors are at play, such as genetics, social environment, psychological stressors, and exposure to certain substances at work, as is the case with bartenders.
Alcohol use disorder, which is defined as repeated use despite recurrent negative consequences, whether physiological, marital, social, or occupational, frequently precedes alcohol dependency.
Because alcohol consumption causes severe adverse reactions, some people—and even entire populations—are somewhat protected from becoming dependent on it. Those with a high tolerance for alcohol, on the other hand, might drink more, which puts them at a higher risk of becoming dependent.
High Alcohol Consumption and Society
While alcohol use is a contributing factor to most types of criminal activity, it plays a significant role in violent crimes and domestic violence incidents. Intoxication is a significant contributing factor to all kinds of accidents, including drownings, and is a major factor in driving accidents.
Does Drinking Increase Our Happiness?
Because of these connections, alcohol was outlawed in the 1920s, which led to a massive illicit liquor industry and an increase in crime. Would we be better off without alcohol, as is the case in many Islamic nations with generally low crime rates, if Prohibition had been more successful?
Would Humans Be Better Off Without Alcohol?
Anxiety is the most significant psychological issue that people face. Alcohol provides a short-term fix because it is an anti-anxiety medication. Because it has the long-term effect of a central nervous system depressant, which lowers mood, it is only temporary.
Even though alcohol is linked to crime, low alcohol use does not always translate into low crime rates.
Alcohol also causes many health issues, but the health of abstinent nations is far worse. This is because wealthy nations have better healthcare systems and the highest rates of alcohol consumption. It’s interesting to note that when calculating the health costs per litre of alcohol consumed, the poor are more negatively impacted than the wealthy.
Denmark and Ireland, wealthy nations with high alcohol consumption, also have high happiness ratings. The bottom line is that while excessive drinking is harmful, moderate drinking may be advantageous for wealthy individuals. This may be the case because alcohol is not consumed in response to emotional distress but rather during cheerful social celebrations, suggesting that there may be a positive side to alcohol consumption when done in moderation and under the right circumstances.
Are You Drinking Too Much?
· You may be misusing alcohol if:
· You want to reduce your drinking because others have criticised
· You feel guilty or bad about it
· You need a drink first thing in the morning to calm down or recover from a hangover
· You continue to drink even though you are having associated problems such as in health, career, or relationships
Someone you know could be abusing alcohol if: Individuals who consume more than 14 units of alcohol per week may experience memory lapses and failure to meet responsibilities, such as missing appointments or work due to a hangover. Getting Help
Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It is a courageous step toward self-care. The first step is to go through a detox. AddictionsUK is the leading agency in the UK that provides safe, comfortable, and affordable medically supervised home detox and continued therapy after that.
If you or your loved one is struggling with alcohol-related issues, call Freephone at 0800 140 4044
Freephone: 0800 140 4044
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