Don't Be Blinded By The Booze

Ah, what better way to celebrate (almost) the end of a pandemic and springtime’s arrival with a drink? Or should we? April was National Alcohol Awareness Month, and this is something that I take extremely seriously, because I've seen drinking not only getting worse through the COVID era, but getting much worse globally overall. There have been about 6.2 million deaths worldwide due to COVID, which has lasted roughly about two years. According to 2021 statistics, about 3.3 million people die every single year from alcohol-related issues or accidents. Right there, that is already a larger number than what we've been experiencing over the last (approximately) 26 months. Alcohol doesn't only negatively affect the person drinking it, but it also effects the loved ones around them. Whether you believe it or not, alcohol literally rewires our brains. If you drink even the recommended "healthy dose" daily or weekly, it influences your internal organ functions. Big alcohol does an immaculate job of marketing poison in a bottle with bright, fun, intriguing colors, and slogans. There are always those commercials of people laughing and smiling while drinking, but they never show any negative side effects like the dreadful hangovers, calls to your ex, or significant increases of getting multiple types of cancer.

Specifically in the US, alcohol is the most addictive substance used on a regular basis. It’s something we don’t even bat an eye at, because it’s become associated with every single thing we do in our daily lives. It isn’t just seasonal cocktail specialties; it’s become engraved in traditions, social situations, and basically every type of celebration. The scary thing is though, alcohol is ethanol disguised in intriguing containers and romanticized experiences. If you do not have a problem with alcohol, chances are you know someone that does. Approximately 1 in 12 people have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Maybe it’s an aunt, uncle, or distant cousin, but you’ve seen the way it can destroy meaningful relationships and lifelong dreams. It can also lead to financial, trust, and long-term health issues.?

You may be one of those people who drink on occasion, and that’s completely okay. I am not here to judge you. I simply want to highlight the realities that often overlooked with drinking. When it comes to preventable deaths in the US, alcohol comes in third on the list. So maybe next time you want to just “grab a few drinks with your friends”, still realize that you are putting yourself at risk of self-harm. In the long term, even just a few drinks a week can lead to a higher chance of dementia. So not remembering things after a night of drinking too much can actually put you at risk for not remembering things permanently at a later point in life. I encourage you to educate yourself about the truths of alcohol and the substantial impact it has on our society. Don’t be blinded by the booze.??