Maintaining Moderation with Alcohol
By Katy Clements.
Living abroad, though exciting, can be incredibly stressful. Not only are we separated from the people and places that we are familiar with, but we also become more aware of our own thoughts as we begin to learn how to adapt to our new surroundings. In times of high stress or deep depression, it can become tempting to numb our feelings with alcohol regularly. Having drinks with friends can be a way to unwind and destress after a busy workday. However, for people that become addicted to the numbing sensation that alcohol gives, becoming dependent on it can be dangerous to your health, career, and relationships. People struggling with these issues should not be shamed or belittled but understood and listened to so that friends and family can find a root cause. As an expat apart from my family and comforts, I began to think that I was a more entertaining person when I drank. However, as I grew older, married, and decided to remain in Korea long term, my loved ones saw that I needed to confront my issues, both past and present.
The first thing that alcohol begins to effect is our quality of sleep. Sleep is important so that we can function in our jobs. Without a proper REM (rapid eye movement) cycle, our bodies are unable to digest normally, or make the proper repairs. A lack of sleep can contribute to the inability to concentrate and make decisions. As a teacher, these two things are the most crucial part of my job, and the inability to use them properly could be detrimental. Even though alcohol acts as a sedative and can cause you to sleep, your body is not getting the proper type of sleep and thus cannot properly digest the alcohol that has entered your blood stream.
To offset these results, it would be best for a person to try to quit drinking at least four hours before bedtime. Another aspect affected by alcohol is its effect on our digestive system. Alcohol is a depressant, and it slows are body’s ability to burn fat and process nutrients until the alcohol is out of our system. This is bad news to people who are trying to control weight gain or loss. If you are too nauseated to eat or hold in food, you will not be able to store the vitamins necessary to thrive, thus leading to dangerous weight loss. In juxtaposition, if you are trying to lose weight, your body will behave sluggishly. To offset these results, it is best to drink in moderation and during meals because the food will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. A third thing that alcohol will affect is your mood. Alcohol is a depressant, and if you are already stressed and depressed, then your mood will get much worse.
Sometimes, it is not easy to resist drinking in large quantities. If you find yourself unable to say “no” to drinks offered by friends, then you should not feel ashamed or embarrassed to reach out for help. Lately, the taboo regarding seeking help in Korea has been challenged, and mental health is now covered by the national healthcare system. The professionals I have encountered have all been kind, considerate, and accommodating. Additionally, there are a few online programs and apps I would like to mention. The first is an AA app for people who are wanting to quit drinking entirely, if you type “AA” into GooglePlay, many apps will appear, and the ones I used do not cost money. They reward you with medals the longer the user stays sober. However, there are also applications that simply help a person modify their habit. The application I currently use to monitor my habits is called AlcoDroid, and it is free on GooglePlay. With this app, you can add your drinks, and it will calculate your BAC (blood alcohol content) and track your habits so that you can help moderate yourself. If you are looking to connect with people and have face-to-face conversations, then a quick web search will yield many results. Generally, these people do not ask for money upfront, but you have an option to donate if you can.
A major contributor to alcohol consumption can be past or present trauma. If a person has a stressor that they have never confronted, or still haunts them, then alcohol can be used as a coping mechanism. If this is you or a loved one, then helping to confront that fear is key to helping them pursue a healthier lifestyle. A person who is suffering needs to be assured that they are loved regardless of what happened to them and that they can be open with you. If this is the case, I recommend seeing a psychiatrist in Korea. As an American, I was used to being charged an arm and a leg for healthcare. I had never considered my mental health because I could not afford to, but now I can rest assured that I can receive affordable and quality care. There are also people who need to be aware of their family’s history with alcohol. If one of their parents or grandparents had struggled with dependency, then they should keep an eye on their own habits and try to use moderation. It could be that they are at greater risk for heart disease or diabetes.
In conclusion, I want to emphasize that drinking alcohol is not bad or reckless but should be kept in-check for better health and happiness, especially now that people are under a tremendous amount of stress. If you feel that you want help moderating your usage or quitting entirely, please look for the applications I recommended or visit www.aa.org.
The Author
Katy Clements is from America and lives in Mokpo. She has a degree in criminology and sociology. In her free time, she usually enjoys reading and watching movies. She wishes everyone a happy spring and is looking forward to cherry blossom season.