Alcohol abuse

I have been following with great interest the initiative by Ghaqda Genituri regarding the very real problem of alcohol abuse by young people. The problem, of course, is not new and as statistics issued by ESPAD (The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs) in recent years have confirmed, it is frighteningly on the increase.

Alcohol is a mind-altering substance, a drug if you wish, and as such should be treated with the respect it deserves. Unfortunately, sadly even, many of us do not, and I include not only our children but adults who should know better.

How many adults drive away in their family cars after a wedding reception, a cocktail or office party, under the influence of alcohol? How many young persons drive away from parties, discos, concerts, pubs and wine bars under the influence of alcohol?

This, of course, is not symptomatic of alcoholism or even an alcohol problem; it is the criminal abuse and misuse of a socially acceptable legal substance and, therefore, a social problem; such behaviour should be heavily penalised, if only to act as a deterrent to others. As we well know, very, very few cases are!

Such behaviour has become a part of our culture and it is here that one should start looking for solutions. One hundred years ago men and boys wore hats and cloth caps and women the ghonella; priests wore cassocks and nuns walked in pairs. Things of the past; likewise our "custom" relationship with alcohol could also become a thing of the past if we have the courage to change.

The problem is that years of regular misuse of alcohol, in many cases, leads to alcohol dependence. This "graduation" hinges on many factors, such as social and economic conditions, genetic tendencies, the personality of the individual and other things. The progression can take years and many "alcoholics" graduate in their 40s and 50s but today alcohol-dependent persons in the 25 to 30 year age bracket are not uncommon and broken marriages, domestic violence, child abuse, anti-social behaviour and other forms of relative poverty are very often the by-product of this dependence.

Alcoholism or ADS (Alcohol Dependence Syndrome), as it is referred to today, is an illness and recognised as such by the World Health Organisation.

It is a three-fold illness. It is physical, of course (heart and liver problems, cancer, gout etc.); it is mental (amnesia, deterioration of the brain cells, memory impairment, wet brain in some instances) and it is also emotional or spiritual - and it is in this area that our young people need the greatest attention.

I cannot here go into why young people drink heavily and some eventually become alcohol-dependent and how they can come to terms with their condition and what is happening to them because these are in-depth studies and require lengthy debate (very few people can tell you what precisely constitutes an alcoholic).

However, I can say that a good part of the problem lies in the emotional and spiritual turmoil that many of our youngsters experience - many from infancy, through childhood, through puberty, adolescence and early adulthood which, ultimately, propels them into a world of fantasy and make-believe. This situation, coupled with a society that projects alcohol as glamorous and trendy and a law enforcement mechanism that is many times inadequate probably gives us the scenario we have today.

Some youths never wake up from this world of make-believe; others wake up when is too late but many do wake up and change their lives in incredible proportions.

There is hope and there is help - many times just round the corner.