This past week on Upfront we talked about the all important issue regarding alcohol use in our social lives. Many people who spoke to Upfront said that they engage in 'light' drinking for different reasons. So we asked the question;can you have fun without drinking? Is alcohol use inhibiting our social lives? When do you cross the line into the territory of alcoholism?
Many people said that they can still have fun without necessarily drinking beer or whatever alcoholic beverage that is commonly consumed in their communities. Let me just point out the peculiar trait among young professionals who prefer beer to local brews(but that is a whole different topic)

Alcohol use is very common in Africa-rural or urban areas.There are many factors-genetic, psychological, social, and environmental-that play a role in alcohol use. In some cultures,it is has tradition uses;during ceremonies like marriages,initiations etc. In one Eastern Uganda area, people give a little bit of alcohol to toddlers, as a ceremonial initiation. Others power it on the ground to appease the gods or their ancestors.

In modern African societies,young people use alcohol when they go out with friends. they say that they are only social drinkers, and yet among them, are some who agree that they cannot have a conversation or work effectively in social settings with 'drinking one'. We can all agree that these are 'borderline alcoholics'. Even though that is not a scientific term, and i am not advocating for it to be,we should look out for such friends. Help them understand the difference. Here is a website with some information http://www.memorialhospital.org/Library/general/general-ADDICTIV.html


Some studies have shown that people can actually have fun without alcohol.They show that a great deal of alcohol’s effect is actually the placebo effect (I know many friends like this). Victoria University in New Zealand convinced nearly 150 students that they were drinking vodka and tonic with limes, and watched the students partake and shows signs on intoxication, however, they would be hard-pressed to actually get inebriated on what they were really drinking: tonic with limes—no vodka.

Jason Bellows a writer on the topic says that alcohol is the nexus of so much human behavior; often times it is a requirement of fun. There can be no doubt that drinking can have detrimental effects, however, it seems that much of the time it’s just an excuse for people to behave in ways that society says they cannot unless they are impaired. "It’s the placebo effect at work" he concludes. What do you think?