All Too Casual About Alcohol Abuse

I’ve worked for a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center for many years, which has afforded me the opportunity to witness firsthand the life-altering effects of alcoholism. Because of this, when it comes to drinking alcohol, I’m sometimes stunned to see the denial that continues to run like a toxic river through our society.

I recently read a physician’s assertion that “moderate” consumption of alcohol can “enhance heart health.” This disregards the obvious and proven health risks of this mood-and-mind-altering toxin and seems staggeringly irresponsible considering that many reading his words might be predisposed to alcoholism. Furthermore, said readers may already have compromised livers or other health concerns that alcohol use would only exacerbate. For those readers, moderate drinking may not be an option and this, therefore, is potentially dangerous information.

Alcohol and Degrading Health

I find this casual attitude toward alcohol abuse unsettling and I see it all too often, many times from physicians. Sadly, so do many individuals struggling with alcoholism. In fact, many have been heard to say that one drink is too many and a thousand is never enough. The consequences of such tacit permission to use alcohol and such an easy-going view toward a substance that can lead to addiction, especially from a respected authority figure, can be life-threatening.

Alcohol damages the body – no matter the amount ingested – and judgment is impaired with the very first drink. Let us not forget that the root of the word “intoxicated” is “toxic,” so, by definition, to drink alcohol is to drink poison.

If the choice given to me when using alcohol is between enhancing my heart health and destroying my liver, brain and other organs, I’ll just have water.