Globally, the holidays are almost always a signal for drinking alcohol. It’s the highest period of socialising, dinners, staff parties, appreciation cocktails, all wrapped in excessive amounts of food, mirth and a flood of beverages.
From a child, the ditty that heralded Christmas for me is one sung by Lord Kitchener, which goes:
Mooma, Mooma would you like to join your sonny?
I am over here, happy in the mother country
Darling, for the Christmas, your son would be really jumping
Listen to the chorus of what we all will be singing...
Drink ah rum and a punch ah crema, drink ah rum
It’s Christmas morning…
The dramatic entry of the first verse, the sentiments from a son away from his mother, and the rhythmic, infectious chorus announced to us a host of customs that inevitably include alcohol.
Christmas is the season of merriment and if alcohol aids it then “drink ah rum and ah…” whatever spirit meets your fancy. But we are well aware of the spoil that follows. For alcoholics and families with sober alcoholics, this “joyous” could quickly become joyless, if we’re unprepared to treat with alcohol dependents, or if we are unaware of the effect on others.
Alcoholism has been considered a disease since the 1950s, a decision that remains controversial among professionals globally with disparate scholarship that skeptically suggests, “Every unwanted behaviour can be medicalised and medically treated” to benefit the revenue generation of some.
For amateurs such as I, it’s been construed—with antipathy—as just another bad habit of people who cannot exercise self-control, posing vexing interactions, at the least, and often being held responsible for deaths of those who’re blameless in the use/abuse of alcohol, especially from Christmas to Carnival.
A well-repeated definition of the disease says, “alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease that manifests itself with symptoms that affect(s) one physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and socially.”
Denial is regarded as its number one symptom, with the alcoholic being the last to believe he or she is so conditioned to dependence.
Mental health problems not only result from drinking too much alcohol but also are sometimes the very reason people are addicted.
There is a close relationship between alcohol problems and mental health. People with mental health problems are at raised risk of alcohol problems and vice versa.
There is thus, according to the UK’s Institute of Alcohol Studies, more than one kind of relationship involved:
• Mental health problems may be a cause of problem drinking
• Problem drinking may be a cause of mental ill-health problems
• There may be a factor in common, in the genes or in the early family environment, which later contributes to both a mental health problem and an alcohol problem
• Some studies suggest that light to moderate drinking may have some beneficial effects on mental health for some people, although the science basis for this is somewhat weak.
• Sometimes heavy drinkers start to misuse prescribed drugs, or illegal drugs, causing harm to mental health.
Drinking and its abuse can start as a harmless effort to relieve tensions/stress by many who adhere to the principle that moderate drinking can improve mood and help non-problem drinkers cope with negative emotional states.
Whatever its genesis, alcohol consumption may be either a cause or an effect of depression. In relation to its causal role, some have suggested that alcohol is bi-phasic in its effects, initially producing a sense of euphoria, which turns to feelings of depression as the blood alcohol levels falls. (www.ias.org.uk)
There are millions of people in the world who have never tasted alcohol. Among those who have consumed, there are still many who have not had another, because they found no pleasure or palatability with the stuff, making for a healthy population of teetotalers.
If you are a sober alcoholic or live with mental health issues, or if you are entertaining in a family with these conditions, consider this:
1 You do not have to have alcohol to make for a memorable event. In fact, I know some lovely people who’d always remember their wedding day for the drunken brawl, which curtailed the celebrations. If you choose to serve alcohol, it is possible to limit and minimise its importance.
2 You do not have to drink regardless of the intimations. Toast with a non-alcoholic beverage.
3 If you decide to drink, know your limit and exercise judgment in saying “no” to retain your sobriety.
4 Have an escape plan if there is internal or external pressure to drink. Ensure you have transportation to leave events when the temptation threatens to overwhelm you or take along a trusted friend who knows of your past substance abuse and can aid your resolve.
5 Be prepared for the bashing when you say no—“You’re not drinking? How come? You sick or something?”—especially from former drinking buddies who may deem your decision for abstinence as weakness.
Christmas is a heavy drinking occasion. No one should enter unprepared.
