Already busy tackling the Covid-19 cases, doctors across the country are finding themselves hard-pressed with spurt in number of patients reporting alcohol withdrawal symptom because of non availability of “booze” due to the ongoing lockdown.
Doctors from country’s premier health institute AIIMS said that people with alcohol withdrawal related problems are coming at their emergency department as OPDs are closed. “When they are deprived of alcohol or substance they are so depended upon they will face varying degree of health related issues. Usually, heavy drinkers need proper counseling and medication,” said Dr Atul Ambekar, Professor of Psychiatric at National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS..
Superintendent Dr Uma Shankar from Mental Health Hospital in Erragadda, Hyderabad, said that a as many as 100 persons with withdrawal symptoms visited the outpatient ward on Monday. She said many of them were treated as outpatients and a few were admitted for constant observation.
According to the doctors, there would be four to five alcoholics among an average 30 outpatients on any normal day. However, the number suddenly increased manifold since Saturday. At least three cases of suicide were reported from the State after the lockdown was announced last week.
Dr Smita Deshpanday, Professor of Psychiatrist from Delhi-based RML Hospital said that such tipplers develop serious problems like alcohol withdrawal fits, hallucinations and depression. However, all patients do not require hospitalisation. They need proper guidance, good food and regular intake of healthy fluids. “In fact this is the golden chance for the Government to treat their heavy dependence on alcohol and tobacco as such products weaken their lung systems,” she added.
Indian medical Association Kerala president Dr Abraham Varghese echoed similar views stating that those showing withdrawal symptoms should be provided scientific treatment, which can be given at homes or in hospitals. “They need treatment. Giving them booze is not a solution,” he said.
Liquor is out of bound across the country except Kerala and Meghalaya, which recently allowed the sale of liquor with a medical testimonial from a qualified doctor due to rising cases of suicide. .
Their decisions have drawn flak from the Indian Medical Association which feels that it would only encourage others to fake their health conditions. Interestingly, there are various global studies that say that alcohol withdrawal never results into a suicide unless the person is suffering from other mental health issues such as depression.
Kerala has seen nine deaths including suicides not due to the infection but because of the non-availability of alcohol. In Karnataka too, reports of addicted people along with alcohol consumption issues were brought to them by their family members were brought to the notice of the Government.
Alcohol is among the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, with 3 million deaths per year attributable to alcohol.
According to a report published in The Lancet last year, Indians are drinking more than ever before, with the annual per capita alcohol consumption going up by 38 per cent in seven years to 5.9 litres (ltr) in 2017, up from 4.3 ltr in 2010. The study on harmful alcohol use in 189 countries said that globally, alcohol intake increased from 5.9 ltr per adult per year in 1990, to 6.5 ltr in 2017, and the total volume of alcohol consumed per year went up by 70 per cent - from 20,999 million ltr in 1990 to 35,676 million ltr in 2017.
If current trends continue, the world will not meet the WHO’s target of reducing harmful use of alcohol by 10 per cent by 2025. “To achieve global targets to reduce harmful alcohol use, the authors call for effective policy measures such as the WHO best-buys, including increasing taxation, restricting availability, and banning alcohol marketing and advertising, to be introduced globally, especially in rapidly developing countries with growing rates of alcohol use,” said the report.