Alcoholism rises among youth

TNN, 20 April 2019, KOLKATA: The number of young alcoholics has doubled in Kolkata over the last five years leading to a sharp spurt in liver ailments, according to experts at a specialized clinic that addresses liver-related illnesses at a private hospital.

While non-alcoholic liver diseases have risen even more sharply, liquor-induced ailments have jumped, too, even as drinking has turned more acceptable and become a part of the lifestyle of the young and upwardly mobile in the city, they said. Along with clinical treatment, psychotherapy was essential to prevent a relapse which affects almost 40% of alcoholics seeking de-addiction, it was claimed.

According to data given by a joint liver and psychotherapy clinic at Fortis Hospital Anandapur, a large number of young professionals aged between 25 and 35 years have alcohol-dependence. “This is the group which believes in working hard and partying hard. Most begin by drinking on weekends and for many it turns a habit and then an addiction. Alcohol is now a lifestyle habit and is being used as a shield against stress which is dangerous,” said Fortis Hospital consultant psychiatrist Sanjay Garg.

Even though it doesn’t readily translate into a liver disease due to genetic predisposition, regular drinking invariably leads to addiction. “Drinking is no longer a taboo and since alcohol is more easily available, it’s a challenge to stay away from it. There is now a tendency to reject moderation and go for binge drinking which could be even more dangerous, leading to a sudden death due to a jump in alcohol level in bloodstream. But a concerted treatment involving psychotherapy could help get rid of addiction and dependence,” added Garg, who is a member of the joint clinic.
Those who were overweight, diabetic and had high cholesterol were more likely to have liver ailments, said Fortis Hospital gastro-liver department head Debashish Dutta. “Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has risen exponentially due to poor lifestyle. While it is easier to treat with medicines, alcohol-induced liver ailments needed psycho-therapy as well,” said Dutta.
Persistent consumption leads to alterations in brain’s circuit, initially causing a positive reinforcement. “To begin with, it is the reward circuit that gets activated and gives one a feeling of euphoria. Chronic consumption gets the stress circuit involved and that’s when dependence begins,” said Garg.