Are we in control where alcohol is concerned?

More than a week ago, I read in the news about a frightened housewife having to flee half-naked from her home after her drunken husband splashed acid on her, burning her clothes from the waist down. The acid had burnt the lower part of her body while her husband suffered injuries to his stomach, chest and right hand.

That was the fate of a woman for marrying a drinking husband who cannot control his drink. In terror she had to run out of her own house with her lower body exposed. Well, to be safe, do not have a man who cannot control his drink. A man who allows his drink to control him will always be either in danger or causing danger, sometimes even to the ones he loves. Nobody is safe as his mind and emotions are overtaken by intoxication.

Do you know that even for a person who can drink, a few glasses of alcoholic drinks can destabilise a person? Once, I was out with an old friend and we joined others in a gathering of ex-schoolmates, the old Frees (Ex-students of Penang Free School), for dinner. The friend was one of those who took a few drinks. As he was used to alcoholic drinks and a disciplined person who knows when to stop, I did not say anything although he was the driver and I was his passenger. From all external appearances, he was very stable, walked steadily to the car, talked calmly and was coherent in his conversation with me. He started the car and drove it without any indication of impairment until he reached his apartment. Then, as he tried to park his car, he discovered that he could not manage to park it properly, placing the car at a slight angle and a little too far out from the kerb. He drove in and out of that parking lot a number of times before he could have the car inside the allotted space. Even that friend realised it was the drinks which had affected his judgement. He told me he just could not get it done accurately so many times despite knowing that he had not parked properly inside the slot. He added that he normally parked his car at one go. That was how confident he was with his skill in handling the car.

If a guy with such control and discipline over himself can be destabilised by just a few drinks, what more with people who cannot control their drinks or themselves. When alcohol is in control of a person, he/she could commit deeds which may cause him much regret later when it is too late to undo the wrongs.

The above story about the drunk hurting his own wife is not the first story I have read or know about about drunks. However, there are people who drink and find it to be more therapeutic than harmful. That I will tell you another day as it is quite a long story.

Well, when I was young I did drink a little just for the fun of it but I was lucky to see with my own eyes the effect of alcohol on the liver which I have written about in an earlier posting. Thank God for that! He is certainly watching over me although it may be from a distance though I do not belong to any particular religion. Well, I do believe in Him and that is what counts the most. Don't you think so?

Okay, back to alcohol and its effect on us. Like everything else, I believe there must be moderation in everything we do or take. In small quantities and for those without allergies, it can be therapeutic as researchers are discovering. However, having control is important and since alcoholic drinks can cloud our mind, always be careful. If we have no control over it, the best thing to do would be to stay away from it.