Consumption of alcoholic beverages by Indian female folks is no more considered as taboo. The recent survey conducted in National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi in its startling revelations highlighted that almost 3-5% of Women (35-40% men) enjoy a fair amounts of liquor and other metros are no different. The survey by the Community Against Drunken Driving (CADD) in its study has found that rising affluence, aspirations, societal pressure, and exposure to a different lifestyle is driving women to experiment with alcohol. Over 5,000 women aged between 18 to 70 were part of the study. Special liquor brands are marketed to attract women, usually, vodka, wine, beer are preferred by women. Cheers for alcohol manufacturing units, women’s alcohol market is expected to grow by 25 %
Why Women booze?
• Women drink to relieve stress, uncertainty in life, show they are also modern, to relax, to gain confidence in social interactions, and to get good night sleep.
• Women who have strained relations and have problems with a loved one.
• Those who are unmarried, staying alone, divorced who have come from abroad, staying in hostels, paying guests, I T professionals, particularly girls of professional courses like Medicine, Dental, Engineering, etc start drinks for fun, show-off, due to peer pressure.
• Sexually abused women usually drink in excess.
Side effects of Alcohol in Women
Alcohol consumption in women may increase the risk of breast, head, and neck cancers. Alcoholic women are more likely to be victims of sexual abuse.
• Pregnancy
Alcohol addiction during pregnancy can have dangerous consequences on the unborn child. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), including birth defects that involve central nervous system impairment, behavioral disorders, and impaired intellectual development, which can lead to difficulties with school and employment.
• Alcohol & Fertility: Those trying to have a baby or pregnant women should not touch alcohol at all to keep health risks away. Alcohol upsets a woman’s menstrual cycle. There is enough scientific evidence to prove that even a small quantity of consumption can reduce the chances of conceiving.
Conclusion:
Women must understand that what started as fun soon becomes a habit, and then addiction from there on, it is difficult to come out. If alcohol is frequently attracting you, it’s important to get help. Experts believe that the hardest part of getting better is admitting you have a problem. ContactAlcoholics Anonymousor talks to your doctor if you are concerned that you may have an alcohol problem.
Those who need help for de-addiction you may send your e-mail to myarogya.in@gmail.com. Your identity will be kept strictly confidential and appointments with experts will be organized.
Ref:
1. Consumption of Alcohol Beverages and Binge Drinking Among Pregnant Women Aged 18-44 Years – United States, 2015-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2019 Apr 26;68(16):365
2. Liu Y1,Nguyen N,Colditz GA. Links between alcohol consumption and breast cancer: a look at the evidence. Womens Health (Lond).2015 Jan;11(1):65-77.
By Pramod N Sulikeri.
