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Sip, but don't TOTTER
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Many a young woman loves her drink these days. Some stretch the limits, reports NANDHINI SUNDAR
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IT IS 4.30 p.m.. Sheela is sitting with her boyfriend in one of the popular pubs in the city sipping her fifth mug of beer. No, it is not her last mug. She is warming up for the evening that is just beginning. "She is a regular here and will go on up to 15 before she calls it a day," whispers John, the barman. No, Sheela is not one of those rich women chilling out in the bar. She is from a middle-class family. She works at a call centre.
How much does she spend on drinking every month? "About Rs. 10,000." And how much does she earn? "Close to Rs. 20,000." Isn't she spending too much on drinking? She shrugs. "I enjoy my drink and I know my limits."
Sheela is not an exception. Drinking among women is no more viewed as an aberration. And casual or social drinking is very common. Regrettably, it has failed to remain just that — casual.
"There is a change in lifestyle. What was once unacceptable is now acceptable. It is quite common for rich families to have a bar at home. When children see their parents drinking, they are tempted to take a sip. In many cases, parents themselves initiate children into drinking on reaching a certain age. They argue that it is better than them drinking on the sly," says Ali Khwaja, Chairman, Banjara Academy.
But wouldn't voluntary initiation trigger off addiction at a later stage? "Frankly, I don't think parents are conscious of that," says Pratima Murthy, Associate Professor, Psychiatry, De-addiction unit, NIMHANS.
"It is not change in lifestyle alone. Excessive drinking could result from peer pressure and what is perceived to be cool. The media has certainly a role to play in terms of advertisements and messages that are constantly bombarded into the living room. The situation has worsened with the emergence of nuclear families and working mothers. Parents spend less time with children," says Manjula Joseph, Principal, Baldwins Women's Methodist College.
According to Dr. Murthy, drinking at an early age heightens chances of alcohol-related problems in later life, particularly among women. It takes shorter time for complications to develop among women. She observes that women's bodies contain less water than men, and retain higher concentration of alcohol in the blood for an identical amount of alcohol consumed. Dr. Murthy also cautions that the enzyme responsible for metabolising alcohol is less active in women than in men. "And the effect of alcohol on the foetus during pregnancy needs no mention," she adds.
Dr. Khwaja concurs. "Our experience in dealing with alcoholics has shown that women who start drinking at an early age have greater chances of experiencing alcohol-related problems."
In July 2003, the Banjara Academy conducted a survey among the educated youth of Bangalore. The survey found that the average age for the first drink among youth, who admitted to having a drink occasionally, was 16.2 years. "Unfortunately, the women and young girls who come in for counselling do not want to admit that they have an alcohol-related problem. They are normally brought in by family members or other concerned parties. Very few come on their own," says Dr. Khwaja.
Do parents or spouses get to know of the problem only in the final stage? "Unfortunately, yes. Some women tend to hide their drinking problem until it goes out of control. As for the parents, they are shattered. In cases where they have been intimated, the parents have refused to believe it. They become defensive as they know drinking among women by and large is considered taboo."
Says Vinita, puffing away at her cigarette, and enjoying a lunch in one of the posh pubs in the city: "I am 28 now. I had my first drink at 20. My parents know I drink, but they are yet to come to terms with it as they are both teetotallers and hail from a conservative background." Does she intend to give it up after marriage? "No way. My fiancé loves his drink too."
Says Mona, another youngster: "My parents know that I drink and they don't have a problem with it as long as I know my limits. Both my parents drink, and so does my brother. We have a bar at home, so there is nothing strange about me having a drink."
Says Ms. Joseph: "What is lacking in present-day youngsters is a strong value base, and the strength to stand up to their peers, and say, `No'. Perhaps, that is where parents are failing — in inculcating that value system."
Perhaps, it is time to rethink our changing lifestyles and re-examine our traditional value systems.
(The names of individuals have been changed to protect their identity.)
Warning signs
ARE YOU a potential alcoholic? Here is a checklist:
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Do you drink to relax or to forget your problems?
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Do you drink when you get angry or upset?
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Do you prefer to drink alone rather than in company?
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Has your productivity come down lately?
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Did you ever fail in your attempt to stop drinking or drink less?
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Have you begun to drink earlier in the day?
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Do you gulp your drink?
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Do you ever have temporary loss of memory when you drink?
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Do you lie about your drinking?
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Have you ever run into trouble with authorities due to drinking?
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Are you guilty of drunken behaviour after drinking?
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Do you consider it to be cool to hold your liquor?
If you have answered YES, to even one or two of the above, it is time for some serious thinking. If you have answered YES to three or more, it time to seek help without further delay.
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