The Home Office has been battling with binge-drinking in the UK, but alcohol abuse seems to be a universal problem.

According to website U.S. Pharmacist, numerous studies have been conducted on the misuse of alcohol and they show that a popular public opinion is that alcohol is not a drug. 

To the contrary drug abuse specialist Dr. Sidney Cohen claims that alcohol is “the most dangerous drug in the world.”

Other myths on the site about alcohol are:

-That it’s good for your heart (even though too much alcohol can actually overwork  

 the heart)

-That alcohol relaxes you (when indeed if drunk, alcohol can make you more anxious)

-That alcohol can make you sleep (though true, many have a problem staying asleep)

Dr. Cohen lists these as the top negative health effects of alcohol abuse:

  • Electrolyte depletion and water loss
  • Thiamine and vitamin deficiency
  • Pancreatitis
  • Malnutrition
  • and of course Liver damage

People seem to focus on the health benefits of alcohol, while the adverse effects are entirely greater. For the added life expectancy and the reduced risk of heart failure for the moderate user of alcohol, there are over 100,000 deaths in the U.S. alone related to alcohol.

In developed countries where alcohol is relatively cheaper, a culture of binge drinking and heavy alcohol use has emerged with public services and by extension the taxpayer feeling the brunt of the burden. Provisions for alcohol treatment and public health facilities that deal with alcohol related incidents such as car crashes, and other health issues mentioned above, come from the taxpayer. 

Drunk drivers are a public problem that is a side effect of alcohol abuse but it’s not just the cost of this to consider. Loss of lives from car crashes with drunk drivers to blame is a serious issue.

The main point of contention is whether or not a person can drink moderately. For the person who can, they may enjoy the benefits of this, but for the abusive personality, alcohol should be avoided in general because alcohol, though perceived as harmless, can have severe effects on the body and mind.

Click me to read measures taken against binge drinking.