‘No amount of alcohol is good for health’

Pune: Social media are often considered as ‘tech guru’ and messages on them are circulated as being true, in ignorance of the harm it may cause and the vested interest behind it.
 
The latest example is a message saying a small quantity of alcohol is good for health. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the use of alcohol is a leading cause of death worldwide. Another study published in a globally renowned science Journal ‘The Lancet’ highlighted that “no amount of alcohol is good for health”. Activists and health experts say such social media messages should not be entertained.  

Speaking to Sakal Times, Manisha Gupte, founder of city-based Mahila Sarvangeen Utkarsh Mandal (MASUM) said early addiction to alcohol could prolong efforts at de-addiction.

“We see that in rural India, children as young as 10 years are involved in drinking. They are motivated socially to do so. However, it affects the health and well-being of that person,” said Gupte. “Today, social media is widely used by youngsters. Since they are young they are not much aware and tend to believe misleading messages,” said Gupte. She pointed out that many cigarette companies sponsor sports events highlighting that the use of cigarettes does not affect the lungs.

“But many studies have supported the fact that cigarettes are harmful for lungs. Similarly, for alcohol, there is a lot of social pressure. In many social gatherings, not drinking is considered ‘backward’ or drinking too much is considered ‘disgusted’. Among a lot of men, not drinking is considered less masculine. These factors affect youngsters a lot,” said Gupte.

She said among women, the use of alcohol is power dynamics. “Not all women can go to a wine shop and buy. Once they are addicted they are exploited by men in many ways,” added Gupte.

Mukta Puntambekar, Director, Muktangan De-addiction Centre, said there is a very thin line between social drinking and becoming an alcohol addict. “To have alcohol socially is ‘cool’ among youngsters. However, we have seen that around 12 per cent social drinkers become alcohol addicts in the future. And no social drinker can guarantee that he will not become an addict. Many reputed health organisations have emphasised the fact that alcohol is not good for health. Social media enthusiasts should check the source of such messages before believing them,” said Puntambekar.

Dr Padma Iyer, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA)’s Pune chapter, said use of alcohol invites a range of health conditions.

“Drinking alcohol affects the liver adversely. There are rising cases of liver problems followed by cirrhosis of the liver due to use of alcohol. It also affects judgement and many cases of accidents are seen due to lack of judgement after drinking,” said Dr Iyer.