Mind Plus Retreat highlights the importance of National Alcohol Awareness Month

Ludhiana, April 10, 2015: Mind Plus Retreat a one of its kind specialist psychiatry, neuropsychiatry and de-addiction facility encourages the public to dedicate this month to understand how excessive drinking can affect health and evaluate their own drinking habits.

Dr Kunal Kala, Managing Director, Mind Plus Retreat said,  “The month of April is dedicated to raising public awareness and understanding, reducing negative connotations, and encouraging communities to focus on alcoholism as well as issues related to alcohol abuse and addiction.”

This is designed to draw attention to the impact that alcohol abuse and addiction have on young people and their families. Throughout this month, there will be many events at the local, state, and national level that are designed to inform people about how to treat and, more importantly, prevent alcohol-related issues. Furthermore, various schools, colleges, and other organizations should also organize activities to create awareness and encourage individuals to receive help for alcohol-related problems.

He further added “Alcoholism places an enormous emotional, physical and financial burden on family members and children of the person who is addicted to alcohol: 75% of domestic abuse is committed under the influence of alcohol. Emotional and physical abuse often occurs as a result of parents or spouses losing control with family members because of alcohol. Drinking and driving causes 16,000 deaths per year, and thousands more injuries. Up to 75% of violent and acquisitive crimes are committed by people under the influence of alcohol.”

Dr Kunal Kala also talked about Understanding how alcohol affects the body. He said: 

Understanding the impact of alcohol on an individual is central to taking the first steps towards understanding their condition and it’s severity. Initially, people who drink may feel upbeat and excited. Soon alcohol affects inhibitions and judgment, and can lead to reckless decisions. As more alcohol is consumed, reaction time suffers and behavior becomes poorly controlled and sometimes even aggressive—possibly leading to fights and other types of violence. Continued drinking causes the slurred speech and loss of balance typically associated with a person being drunk. At higher levels, alcohol causes the drinker to become sleepy and in some cases “pass out”. At these levels, alcohol can also cause blackouts or periods of amnesia where a person may have been conscious, but does not remember what happened while he or she was intoxicated. In the most extreme cases, drinkers face the danger of life-threatening alcohol poisoning due to the suppression of vital life functions.

Reduce drinking to lower risk for problems

Safe alcohol limits are in the region of 15-20 units per week depending on your gender – this equates roughly to 1 alcoholic drink per day. For those who find that their drinking patterns are above the recommended limits, cutting back or quitting can have significant health benefits. People who reduce their drinking decrease their risks for injuries, liver and heart disease, depression, stroke, sexually transmitted diseases, and several types of cancers.

Alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence is a condition in which an individual experiences tolerance, dependence, withdrawal symptoms (such as shaking and sweating) and an impaired appreciation of the negative consequences of one’s drinking. Treatment includes inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation to maximize one’s ability to remain well in the future.