I am a former mental health/addictions nurse and almost 7 years sober. I also currently live in South America. It’s interesting to go different places and see the ideas and beliefs about alcohol use. Mainly because no matter where you go in the world, the beliefs are the same. For instance there is the conflicting belief that alcohol is ok but other drugs are not. A while ago, I saw this sign (pictured above) while looking at the menu in a local restaurant.
It says “Consumir drogas no te hace “libre”, te hace esclavo.” In English, this translates to “Consuming drugs doesn’t make you free, it makes you a slave.”
Here in this town, drugs like pot, cocaine, and other illegal substances are frowned upon. They don’t want these drugs in the establishments, hence why they post the sign. However, this sign was posted by the bar area, where they sell a variety of alcohol brands. Although this sign is here in South America, it shows a clear and universal understanding of alcohol, which is — the world does not believe that alcohol is a drug.
Yet, it’s perhaps the most dangerous drug in the world. And there’s tons of research to back this up. (see list of research references at the end of this article if you want to learn more).
In the Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health published by the WHO, most countries in the world show a high incidence of medium to high-risk drinking patterns. This means that most countries report drinking patterns that are above the safe limits of alcohol consumption.
Furthermore, the years of life lost to disability and death from alcohol use is much higher than other drugs. The conditions that cause the highest number of death and disability from alcohol are: injuries, liver disease, suicide, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Also, alcohol causes an increase in violence and aggression and poor decision-making that can seriously impact other people.
World data about alcohol consumption shows an increase in health issues related to risky drinking across the globe. Heavy drinking among women and youth has increased. Psychological and physical health issues due to heavy drinking has also increased.
According to a study by David Nutt, a psychopharmacology researcher, the harm to self and others caused by alcohol is higher than heroin or crack.
Other studies report serious psychoneurological damage through both risky use and withdrawal from alcohol. Indeed, emergency room visits due to alcohol-related issues are higher than any other drug.
And yet, here we are, establishments that sell alcohol post signs about how we are slaves to drugs while simultaneously selling the most dangerous drug of all.
Why is this information not common knowledge? Well, I suspect that it may be, yet we refuse to acknowledge it. Such is the power of addiction, I think. Also, let’s not forget the incredible profit that alcohol provides to the global economy.
Or do we really not see alcohol as the dangerous drug that it is?
If not, we need this information to be more public. My hope is that someday, alcohol will go the way of tobacco — warnings and policy efforts aimed to reduce consumption. Fortunately, there are some alcohol vendors here in South America that post warnings relaying the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. It would be good for this become a worldwide policy.
I think we do understand that heavy drinking can lead to our demise. However, most people don’t know that these risks also relate to even moderate drinking too.
Research shows that even moderate drinking causes irritability, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms. One can only imagine what that does to our nervous system and attention span as we drive our cars, try to concentrate, and move around safely in the world.
But, the more we know, the better decisions we can make.
Do not be confused, alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs in the world. By not acknowledging that fact, we’re only lying to ourselves.
Here’s a list of research references used to write this article:
Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health (WHO)
Alcohol and the Nervous System
Alcohol — New Therapeutic Approaches and the Burden of Harm
Alcohol Consumption — Our World in Data
Comments / 6