Alcohol does more harm than good to one’s health

Catherine Murombedzi
MANY people I know argue that beer drinking is a legacy passed to them by their ancestors and fathers.

An aunt justifies gulping by saying that it is a tradition passed down to her by her father.

“I drink in honour of my late father.  He introduced me to the wise waters as a baby. He would pass the calabash for me to drink.  I drink in his honour and memory. Who am I to forget such a great man? I lift the brown bottle in his honour,” said my aunt each time anyone questions her drinking habit.

In the olden days, traditional beer was brewed for rituals, community projects known as nhimbe which meant working in the fields and for socialising.

The beer was taken in moderation as a laxative, a cleanser orva drink for health.

Over the years drinking ways changed.

As cultures mixed due to migration so did new kinds of beer find their way into the country.

Whisky, brandy and spirits which contain more alcohol content than the traditional brew are now a common sight. One tot of whisky is equivalent to one carton of beer or ciders.

Today for most people to say they attended a great wedding it means that beer was in abundance. They even quote the wedding at Cana.

Funerals and parties too now resemble a beer festival.

We know that beer must not be sold to people under the age of 18. How many times have you seen a 15-year-old purchasing beer with no questions being asked?

As much as we think alcohol industry provides work, it is also the source of most of our problems.

Alcohol leads to violent tendencies. Marriages break down due to alcohol abuse.

Job Whanya said he lost his job due to alcohol misuse.

“I used to abscond from work after getting paid. I would sneak out of work just to have two cold beers. I was advised to seek help from alcoholics anonymous, but I refused to accept that I had a problem.

“I was dismissed after being found drunk during working hours,” said the man who now spends all day asking those with money for a sip at the local shopping centre.

Drinking in excess causes sickness.

When ill, one spends a lot of money on treatment.

Another male who only gave his first name as Paul said he was now disabled after driving under the influence of alcohol.

“I got injured after drunken driving one night. I am sorry that a friend I had in the car lost his life. Never drink and drive, it cost me a friend’s life and I am in a wheelchair today,” said Paul.

People with alcohol problems need help, but rarely admit they have a problem when help is offered.

Advertising makes alcohol appear a macho drink. The adverts are flashy making beer appear the in thing.

Alcohol taken in moderation can cause no harm to the drinker, but the problem is when to stop and know that it is enough.

People drink to socialise which is not a problem.  The problem comes when one drinks to cope with problems.

When people drink because they are bored it also becomes a problem.

Some people believe drinking gives them the courage they usually lack when sober.

Adverts make some people believe that drinking will make them macho as seen on television or newspapers.

It is never fun to be with a drunkard.

“The worst thing is being with drunkards who demand that you listen to them speak,” said Sibo Masha who grew up with a drunkard of a father.

“He would come home late demanding that everyone should we wake up to listen to him. He was always sloshed and thought himself intelligent when drunk. He would wake everyone up from mom to the baby and made us listen to him talking and dreaming of success.  He was never successful except in his drunken stupor. The excessive drink led to suffer from liver sclerosis.

He died before the age of 40. I, however, do not feel the loss had he lived longer he would have caused us irreparable damage. So RIP baba, your best friend beer took you away,” said Sibo who had to stop secondary education in the third year to help her mother take care of her siblings.

Dr Mathew Matema said alcohol intake in excess can lead one to have seizures.

“Taking alcohol in excess can lead one to shaking and having seizures.  Lack of sleep is another problem, even loss of memory.

Lack of appetite after drinking is common and one can vomit, what is referred to as trumpet by the young generation. The mood of a drinker also swings as one feels body aches and pain,” said Dr Matema.

When taken in large amounts, a drinker keeps increasing the amount meaning greater tolerance.

“What used to make one high can have no effect as one gets used to the amount, meaning greater tolerance for alcohol.  When such a person tries to stop, they can even get ill. The withdrawal symptoms can lead to death. A drinker must seek medical help when they want to stop.

Abrupt stopping can be fatal,” said Dr Matema.

People on life-long medication are advised to stop or take alcohol in moderation.

“People on life-long medication are advised to take little or no alcohol.  It interferes with the drug component leading to negative side effects.  Some people forget to take medication when drunk. Lack of adherence is fatal too,” said Dr Matema.

As seen here, alcohol does more harm than good to one’s health.

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