Monday, May 20, 2024

A Few Thoughts on Alcohol



"Oh demon alcohol, Sad memories I cannot recall, who thought I would say, damn it all and blow it all. Oh demon alcohol, memories I cannot recall, who thought I would fall a slave to demon alcohol."

The above is from a song by the British group called The Kinks.

I want to preface the following by saying I have drunk alcohol for decades, I say this because I don't want you to think I am some kind of fag teetotaler that is condemning those who drink. My purpose is to help us become the best we can be in a time when everything around us in this country seems to be collapsing.

Now, let's consider alcohol. We'll look at a substance that is consumed in varying amounts by most everyone, adult at least.
After a number of years of drinking I eventually came to some conclusions--you may agree with the following, you may not. My intentions for listing them are good.

1. alcohol is an acquired taste.
2.alcohol impairs the mind, mood and senses and the regular user seeks out achieving that impairment again and again.
3.alcohol does nothing to nourish the body, in fact, it depletes the body of vitamins and minerals.
4. for the regular user it's habit forming, and in many cases, addicting.
5.the occasional user generally becomes the regular user.

My question for readers is: are you controlling what and how much goes into your body--can you? 

They claim a drink or two a day is beneficial to your health but this claim is disputed by many. What I have noticed is that the vast majority of those who drink on a regular basis consume much more then that one drink or two a day quota. If you are one of these people, perhaps you need to ask yourself this question, am I addicted to alcohol? Am I in control or out of control? 

If you don't know, try this simple test--don't drink today or at all this coming weekend. See how it goes. As these 3 days progress, monitor how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally; do you find that you are more prone to being irritable, anxious and restless, do you feel bored or even depressed? Then again, can you even make it through 3 days without drinking? What you discover may be shocking. If you find that you are not a "casual" drinker, then changes need to be made.

Again, it's all about control and discipline. Have a drink if you choose but be aware.
Below are the effects alcohol has on your body--keep this in mind as you go through the weekend--

A few of the health effects of alcohol consumption:
Cancer:
Increases the risk of cancer in the liver, pancreas, rectum, breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus.
Heart disease:
Raises blood pressure, blood lipids and the risk of stroke and heart disease in heavy drinkers.  Heart disease is generally lower in light to moderate drinkers.
Hyperglycemia: 
Raises blood glucose.
Hypoglycemia:
Lowers blood glucose, especially for people with diabetes.
Kidney disease:
Enlarges the kidneys, alters hormone functions, and increases the risk of kidney failure.
Liver disease:
 Causes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Malnutrition: Increases the risk of protein-energy malnutrition; low intakes of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6 and riboflavin, and impaired absorption of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and zinc.
Nervous disorders:
Causes neuropathy and dementia; impairs balance and memory.


Well, there you have it, the facts. Now the question, have you been kidding yourself in regard to your alcohol use? 

1 comment:

  1. What they left out as far as negative effects, E.D. aka limp dick.

    ReplyDelete