I don’t know how many people watch Eastenders. This week Billy Jackson died. The cause of death has not yet been fully determined but the common belief among the square is that he died of alcohol poisoning.
Many people including myself have often drunk until they have passed out (I am not saying this because I am proud) simply to be honest. But have any of us ever woken up and worried that you wouldn’t? I know I haven’t. The thought that drinking may lead to an early death is not a welcome thought. None of us want to believe that a fun night out could end with such a result.
Over the years I’ve watched friends (and they’ve watched me) throw up, black out, forget complete nights and do things that we regret the morning after. I even saw one girl run over because she was drunk and forgot to look for traffic all because of our love affair with alcohol (she’s alive don’t worry.)
I also looked up, which I am ashamed to say I didn’t know, information about alcohol units. Women are advised to have no more than 14 units per week and men 21. So how many units does that vodka and mixer you drink in the club have in it, or that bottle of wine you drink with your friends?
http://lothianhealthandlife.scot.nhs.uk/lhls2002/images/report3/
I small wine is one unit. An entire bottle (which is surprisingly easy to get through) is 9 units. How many of us can say that we do not go over the advised units. I know I can’t and to be honest I doubt even my mum and dad can.
Although this blog may seem like I am against drinking, let me tell you, I am not. I enjoy nights out with friends and have experienced many (if not all) of the unpleasant symptoms above. Most importantly I doubt I will ever completely give up alcohol.
It’s more a fascination. So many people can tell us that drinking is wrong, that drinking is dangerous and that we will become the generation most associated with cirrhosis of the liver. So my question is why? Why do we put ourselves through tragic hangovers, moral regrets and do ourselves bodily damage?
Why do I?
I enjoy the confidence that drinking gives me. I am a pretty outgoing person anyway and I don’t NEED alcohol to make me confident but there is something in holding that glass of wine that makes me stand taller, talk to someone I might not normally. I suppose overall it’s all to do with being social. I drink so I can talk to people, dance like an idiot and not care and maybe even to do things that I will regret. Could I do all these things without alcohol, yes, and I have previously. I suppose that’s how I know I will never have a problem with alcohol.
So what keeps you popping open that bottle of wine, or downing that beer?
