Alcohol Is Becoming 'Cool' But Who Shows the Patient Struggling to Breathe in ICU?

Alcohol is gradually becoming seen as 'cool' in social media, movies, and party culture, tagged as 'classy', 'smart', and a way to 'release stress'. It is increasingly viewed as a mature, modern, and normal behavior.

But after 25 years working in hospitals and ICUs, seeing the fear in patients' eyes, I have witnessed not just "drinks" but "dark tragedies".

Here are some things that don’t show up in the ‘classy glasses’:

1. Liver damage is known, but the brain also 'shrinks': Alcohol causes cerebral atrophy, leading to memory loss, impaired decision-making, and changes in personality.

2. Heart arrhythmia and high blood pressure risk: Alcohol disrupts the heartbeat. ECG shows irregular rhythm. The risk of sudden heart attacks increases.

3. Harmful effects on digestion, muscles, and immunity: Alcohol weakens muscles, disrupts digestion, and reduces body strength, increasing vulnerability to diseases.

4. Those who say "Drinking is your personal freedom"—when will they accept social responsibility? If you normalize drinking, share memes, reels, or casually offer alcohol to guests, you are creating a toxic culture.

5. After drinking, the feeling of 'I am responsible' diminishes: This leads to rash driving, accidents, fights, and street violence often occurring under the influence. Not only the drinker but others become victims.

6. Alcohol acts as a catalyst for abuse, violence, and law violations: Police cases, crimes, accidents, and domestic violence often have alcohol as the 'smoking gun'.

7. Those who say "Only on weekends" often progress to daily drinking. Alcohol creates a false belief that life is impossible without it and gradually becomes a chemical trap rather than a coping skill.

8. In old age, not only fitness but memory and relationships must be preserved: Alcohol slowly steals both, and by the time it is noticed, it is too late.

Therefore, decide today: - If you drink, think carefully, keep limits, and stop on time. - If you promote or normalize it, look inside yourself. Are you leading someone down the wrong path?

Alcohol is not a status symbol but a systematic silencer. Which side are you on—awareness or consent?

Dr Ravindra L. Kulkarni, MD, DNB, FSCAI (Cardiology) Just For Hearts