Why Now is the Time to Stop Drinking Alcohol

Recent events have shown our global vulnerability, both with Covid-19 and the prehistoric attitudes of some people in positions of power, regarding the basic values and needs of us all is shocking.

A global debate has been rightfully sparked on important issues facing us all. Our lives have never felt so unsettling. Personal anxiety for many is off the charts and mental health never felt so vulnerable.

Drinking alcohol to swerve your inner stress and anxiety is a common go-to for many. But, it is definitely not the answer. In fact it’s time to ditch this social habit for good. I know this is easier said than done, as habits are strong and dependency is all too apparent.

I have first hand experience of the destruction that alcohol brings. An alcoholic mother brought me intense stress growing up. And this was probably the reason why as an adult I abstained from alcohol for years. However after this period, I relaxed and began to drink. I must have done five years with a glass of wine every day. I understand how easy it is to slip into the ‘it’s wine o’clock’ routine. However, believe me, once you replace the habit with something else, your body and mind will thank you and life will become clearer and less depressing.

Abstaining from regular alcohol intake will positively serve your mental and physical health. Yes, it’s been around for 1000’s of years and yes it is deeply ingrained in our society. But we all have choice. So, why not choose to be clear in mind, be sharp in thought and live in a healthy body?

Did you know that alcohol related admissions to U.K. hospitals were 358,000 in 2018? That’s over 1000 per day, everyday. Yet instead of finding a cure, we couldn’t wait to re-open the millions of pubs and bars in order to fuel this social meven more. Day to day, alcohol does not serve us anymore. This is 2020. We already overload our brains with 11 hours of screen time everyday. Alcohol is not going to help with this. It’s time to take a deep breath and zoom out of our foggy stupor.

Alcohol rots your brain

If hangovers hurt the head so much, they can’t be good for you. However, hangovers have become a trophy amongst friends - a scale of, I don’t know what. There is no win. Why lose a day of your life to a hangover?

A study in 2014 tells us: “The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and limbic system structures are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of alcohol… and are critically involved in decision-making, motivation, planning, goal setting, and impulse inhibition… A variety of preclinical and clinical studies suggest that chronic repetitive alcohol consumption persistently changes neurobiology thereby increasing risky decision-making, impulsivity, and anxiety.”

It is impossible to be deeply happy if you drink. The fleeting moments of lucidity are simply not worth it. The world has enough new anxiety these days, why on earth would you add more by choice?

Drinking makes you depressed

Picture the hangover day (you know the one) you’re sitting looking out of the window. It’s raining and life is shit. The overwhelming darkness slides over you and you figure, ‘Hey, lets grab a hare of the dog’. This simple action means you avoid reality and lose another day.

A study in 2012 researching the connection between alcohol and depression, found: “Depression in an alcohol-dependent person has been reported to not only lower the resolve to resisting alcohol use, but may also lead to use of alcohol to relive the depressive symptoms”

However, the study found, “depression diagnosed in the current episode of alcohol dependence normally remits after 2 weeks of detoxification and abstinence and falls to normal range within 3 weeks”. Your body is amazing. It really is. No matter what you throw at it, it will bounce back and achieve equilibrium. You are blessed to have such an amazing vessel to carry you through life. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Everything will start to feel better.

“The prevalence of depression at intake before detoxification was 63.8% (120 participants). Six months after detoxification and completion of rehabilitation the prevalence of depression was 30.2% (47 participants).There was a statistically significant reduction (P value 0.000) in the prevalence of depression at six months during which period the participants had undergone community-based detoxification and rehabilitation for alcohol dependence.”

Although this study relates to those dependent on alcohol, we often don’t realise how many of us that includes. I know many functioning alcoholics. Think of the people who have “just one glass”. Their life always seems to be one car crash after another — a never ending cycle of drama and chaos.

It’s simply not cool anymore

Although alcohol is a right of passage in your teens, there comes a point when you will either say the wrong thing or fail miserably at work because of a hangover. It’s OK when you are a teenager but as an adult? Enough is enough.

It’s not cool anymore. Plus, the surge of non-alcoholic beverages is huge. Things are changing, people are waking up. This change is testament to the behaviour of the millennials and trailblazers who are shaping how we move forward as a planet and global population. Of course we want social engagement and fun times, but we shouldn’t have to frazzle our brain cells in order to experience this.

Drinksbusiness reported, drinks giant Diago broke new ground by investing in low-non alcohol brand Ritual in 2019. “According to a 2019 Distill Ventures data study, 58% of consumers are drinking more no-and low-abv drinks than last year, and 55% of the most influential bartenders in New York, Los Angeles and London believe the no-and low-alcohol trend will continue to grow within the next 12 months.” Marcus Sakey, founding partner and chief brand officer of Ritual Zero Proof, said non-alcoholic spirit alternatives are “changing the landscape… In 18 months, we predict non-alcoholic options will be on every menu and the shelves of every grocery store.”

In a short space of time, we have seen cigarettes transform from an essential part of socialising to a really bad habit, increased in price to $15 a pack and sold behind closed doors. And let’s not forget, fossil fuels are currently being replaced by electricity as a way to fuel cars. Alcohol will go the same way as cigarettes and petrol. It will become the choice of the few. The many will want to reach a higher sense of self. In doing so, we will be able to absorb and process the high speed cognitive overload we are all unfortunately immersed in. Our brains will be able to cope more efficiently. We will think more clearly.

I’m not so idealistic to think the historical distilleries of Scotland or the immense vineyards of France will become obsolete. No, alcohol is here to stay that’s for sure. But I believe it will become a special occasion treat with a high price tag. So, let’s celebrate birthdays and weddings with champagne but let’s get rid of the scourge of cheap, nullifying, poor quality alcohol which is killing the minds and bodies of so many people, too early and too often. Now is the time to change.

Photo by Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis on Unsplash

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