February 20 is the national day to fight drugs and alcoholism
Maria (fictitious name) grew up with an alcoholic father and, nowadays, only the smell of beer makes it already stressed, even if he has spent 30 years. He lives by fighting with his husband because of the drink. The trauma is intense. Laila (fictitious name) is only 16 years old. Usually he arrives at his posthumous lessons of a hangover. He feels stomach pain for the first time. After all, she doesn’t even like drinking so much, but she prefers to do her best to enter.
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These real stories illustrate the worrying statistics that cover over 25% of the Brazilian population, according to the national secretariat for drug policy and asset management (Senad). The projections underline that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Alcohol consumption in Brazil should exceed 10.1 liters per person per year by 2025.
In 2019, the Brazil had a cost of about $ 18.8 billion due to alcohol consumptionAccording to the study Estimation of direct and indirect costs attributable to alcohol consumption in Brazilled by Fiocruz Brasilia.
Of these values, 1.1 billion dollars referred to the federal direct costs with hospitalizations and outpatient treatments in the Unified Health System (Sus).
The indirect costs attributed to alcohol warned to $ 17.7 billion, covering productivity losses deriving from early deaths, licenses and retirement due to diseases of alcohol consumption, as well as loss of working days due to hospitalizations and leaves doctors.
Within indirect losses, the social security cost was $ 47.2 million and 78% (37 million dollars) of this amount was intended for the male public, while women represented 22% (R $ 10, 2 million).
Impact of alcoholism
In terms of health, Alcoholism is responsible for several chronic and acute diseasesincluding hepatic cirrhosis, pancreatitis, heart disorders and a series of psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.
The impact of alcoholism is also socially devastatinginfluence family relationships and emotional well -being of people close to dependent people.
The psychologist Nino Marchi, a drug expert and a master’s degree in toxicology at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul (Ufrgs), underlines that “excessive alcohol consumption is a problem that goes beyond the limits of the individual health.
Marchi also stresses that socio -economic factors play a key role in the prevention and treatment of alcoholism, considering the vulnerability of low -income populations or in contexts of domestic violence.
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For him, public prevention policies are essential to effectively fight alcoholism. “Education and awareness should start early. School, family and social media must play a more active role in the dissemination of information on the risks of excessive alcohol consumption”.
The expert also warns that, despite the progress in therapeutic approaches, the treatment of alcoholism has yet to face significant barriers, mainly due to the stigma associated with addiction.
“Many people still avoid looking for help due to the prejudice and lack of knowledge of the available treatments. It is necessary to change the perspective in society, so that the search for treatment is seen as a step of courage and not as a sign of weakness “.”
In addition, Marchi highlights the importance of most inclusive public policies that offer support not only to the employee, but also to family members, as a way to strengthen the support network during the recovery process.
“It is not just enough to treat the alcoholic. You must also help those who surround you, because they are often the family members who support the recovery process or face the consequences of addiction to themselves.”
Where to seek help
For those who face problems with alcoholism and seek support, there are several help options across the country. Anonymous alcoholics (AA)A world brotherhood that helps people recover from alcoholism through mutual support and a structured program.
Anonymous alcoholics: how does it work?
Basic aa his work on a recovery program divided into 36 principles, including:
- The twelve steps: a series of guidelines suggested for the individual recovery of the alcoholic, focused on the construction of a new life in sobriety;
- The twelve traditions: rules that guide the relationship between members and brotherhood as a whole;
- The twelve concepts for world services: principles that guide AA operations at an organizational level.
In a declaration, the institution stressed that active participation in groups is essential for the recovery process. “The importance of the group is fundamental. We call the basic group, in which the member enters, creates a frequency routine, makes new friends and finds support. It is in this space that recovery meetings occur, in which everyone can share their experience, difficulties and victories in a sort of mutual therapy helps.
AA does not maintain the registers of its members or divulge official statistics, preserving the anonymity of the participants. However, the search for help has grown in recent years. “We are increasingly receiving facial and online groups and many young people and women. But the reality is that the vast majority, after a period, ends up moving away, both because it believes that it has acquired control or causes the difficulties in maintaining total abstinence, “they explain.
At the beginning of sobriety, it is common for alcoholics to face serious abstinence crises, mood swings and anxiety. “It takes time to create a new routine without alcohol, face losses and reconstruct the trust of the family and society. AA does not offer professional psychological care, but in groups the members find support and learn from shared experiences.
AA does not promote campaigns to combat alcoholism or have links with public agencies, but does an awareness work through committees that bring information to companies, clinics, hospitals and prisons. It is also present in digital media, such as YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok (@AA.BR), where it offers interviews with professionals and testimonies on recovery.
Other help options
In addition to AA, there are other services for those looking for support against alcoholism:
- Caps ad (Centers of Psychosocial Care Alcohol and drugs): Sus unit specialized in the care of people with disorders deriving from an alcohol offensive use and other substances. They offer free treatment with the multidisciplinary team. See the closest unit on the website of the Town Hall of San Paolo;
- Support groups and rehabilitation clinics: Several NGOs and private institutions offer voluntary and hospitalization for drug addicts. It is important to search and seek references before choosing a service;
- Mental health services: Public and private hospitals have sectors specialized in psychiatry and chemical dependence. In case of crisis, Samu (192) and CVV (188) can be activated for emergency support.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
