I don’t drink & smoke

Consumption of alcohol & smoking.

Although I find it very demeaning to consume such things, I don’t judge people who do either. It’s their life, they are allowed to live it as they want. I am no one to tell them what to eat or drink.

It’s become quite a common trend these days. I see almost all of the people, my age, smoking, and drinking.

I guess it’s become a definition of a new ‘COOL’, which obviously, further leads to addiction. And addiction to anything, especially something harmful to the body will affect you in the long run as well.

Many of my friends do it. Or rather I’d say all of them do it.

Why does one consume alcohol or smoke?

The first reason that comes to my mind is peer pressure.

The thought of what others will think of you if you do certain things or enact certain habits is enough to drive you mentally and physically towards things you never did in your life.

We all know what peer pressure is.

The second reason that pops up is, I guess, maybe they see it as a medicine for a temporary escape from their problems. A paracetamol for instant relief kind of thing.

Now, you must be thinking. ‘Some preacher this guys is, huh’. Well, I’m trying to preach or guide. I’m just telling you that I don’t like these things.

This further leads to you wondering why I don’t like it.

Why I personally find these things unacceptable?

These are personal reasons, of course. However, I’ll give you a brief idea of what made me realize to avoid these kinds of things.

My life has been like a rollercoaster. Ups & downs all the way.

I’ve seen pretty up close, what alcohol does to a human. How it affects the mind. And that, in turn, leads to the suffering of people around that human which they never asked for.

Also, one of the main protagonists of my life has been my late grandfather. An ideal person, who never touched alcohol or tobacco and always advised me to do the same.

I guess it becomes much easier when you have someone to look up to.

Last but not least, it’s not good for health. That’s common knowledge.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

Binge drinking and continued alcohol use in large amounts are associated with many health problems, including:

• Unintentional injuries such as car crash, burns, drowning
• Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence
• Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity
• Increased family problems, broken relationships
• Alcohol poisoning
• High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases
• Liver disease
• Nerve damage
• Sexual problems
• Permanent damage to the brain
• Vitamin B1 deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterized by amnesia, apathy, and disorientation
• Ulcers
• Gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls)
• Malnutrition
• Cancer of the mouth and throat

That is all. This is only my opinion.

Once again, I would never judge a person on the basis of whether he/she drinks or smokes. But if someone asks me, I would always advise against it.