Women at risk: Rising alcohol consumption becoming a curse

Alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, and spirits, are sold on a large scale in India, where consumption is increasing. It is the third-largest market in the world, after China and the United States. In 2020, alcohol consumption in India amounted to about 5 billion litres[1]. With growing consumption and rising availability, alcoholism is taking over every proportion of the population, not even sparing women and adolescent children. Call it a shift in trends or a change away from the stereotypes, but women have adopted alcohol into their lifestyle. Gradually, this substance addiction is taking over their health and lives. Well, it has always existed in the tribal culture; today, the women in urban corporate spaces are primarily influenced by it. Some choose it for fun and pleasure, and some intend to cope with their struggles. Here is a look at the causes, the NHFS-5 (National Family Health Survey) report, and the shifting dimensions, wherein alcohol consumption is affecting women and their lives at large. 

Urban culture

As women are moving to urban spaces, with shifting dynamics of social norms, they become a part of the influence. Consuming alcohol is assumed to be a symbol of modernity, independence, and liberation. Sometimes, it can be the peer pressure they face in the environment they are in, or it can also be 'just another way to blend in' because everybody is doing so, just not to miss out. This trend is mostly prevalent among young women. 

Neha Mulchandani, a counseling psychologist, shares, "Firstly, it starts with becoming like another business lady who seems to be leading the pack, managing with a glass of alcohol in her hand. They associate being strong and independent is how that woman is, adopting mannerisms like smoking and alcoholism."

Further adding, "There is someone I came across who told me what's the point of going to a party when you don't drink? That's what women think these days, they have a kind of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) or something that seems unacceptable amidst a gathering of 'similars'." 

The Western lifestyle also provides an exposure, wherein women in the middle class and upper class of society consider alcohol consumption as a part of 'social interaction' in gatherings and 'leisure'.  Among the women aged between 15-49 years, 17% of them drink almost every day, while 37% drink once a week. 

If we talk about some ethnic communities, Alcohol consumption is rooted in their culture. And women, too, are a part of the tribal culture, with access to alcohol, with 6% usage. They brew some of the traditional alcoholic beverages, and also consume them during various festivals, customs, and rituals. This cultural acceptance is widely observed in tribal populated states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and the Northeast. 

Handia, Apong, and Mahua are some of the traditional alcoholic beverages consumed by the indigenous tribes of India. With changing times, the tribes have also incorporated a modern lifestyle, also consuming country liquor these days. 

Women everywhere are subject to domestic violence, sexual abuse, and poverty. Some women turn to alcohol to cope with the stress, anxiety, and other mental issues during this period. This is not only faced by women in socially and economically marginalized communities, but also by upper-class women. The lack of mental health support leads them to alcoholism. Neha Mulchandani adds, "But this is a negative means of coping mechanism, that is not at all healthy. It is just another way to escape, run away from reality, and find pleasure for a while. Of course, it is necessary to gather and mingle with friends and peers, but does it have to be alcohol always? While dealing with mental issues, women must seek medical support instead of turning to temporary means of contentment or what they find as happiness." 

While educated upper-class women might choose to ignore or remain unaware of the health risks associated with alcohol, despite knowing all, women in the poverty-stricken and uneducated sections are quite aloof from the reality. They lack awareness of health, and are particularly unaware of their 'body'. They do not know about their pre-existing health conditions, such as PCOS, Thyroid, and liver cirrhosis, among others. When they get exposed to alcohol, they become more prone to cancers and other illnesses. 

Alcohol and tobacco consumption are something that the youth finds cool and appealing. They feel it makes them more approachable to the other gender. Even women find them as a means to stay 'appealing in the room'. More so, when they find a man attracted to such a woman, they tend to indulge with a similar approach. Neha Mulchandani says, "You see, when you are young and naive, you are more likely to fall into such traps. You find it cool, appealing, and want to do what others of your age do. That's how our minds work psychologically; we want to be a part of every other circle, with every other cool dude or girl out there. It starts with trying it out, and for those who do not know when to stop, it turns out to be an addiction." 

National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2019-2021)

The National Family Health Survey (NHFS 2019-2021) report, released in 2022, provides comprehensive data on alcohol consumption among men and women in India. Not only from 2019 to 2021, but also the data differentiates between consumption levels back in 2015-16 (NFHS-4) and 15 years ago in 2005-06 (NFHS-3). 

The survey was conducted in approximately 6.37 lakh sample households across 707 districts in 28 states and 8 Union Territories of India. It covered around 7,24,115 women and 1,01,839 men for disaggregated estimates on a district level.   

According to the survey, alcohol consumption among India's female population is observed mostly in urban and tribal regions of India. The percentage of women drinking alcohol in India declined modestly from 1.2% in 2015-16 to 0.7% in 2019-21. While the national average remains low, this is not very positive for some states, as the results vary with regional differences: 

Arunachal Pradesh ranks the highest with 24% of females consuming alcohol, followed by Sikkim at 16.2%, Assam at 7.3%, Telangana at 6.7%, Jharkhand at 6.1%, Andaman and Nicobar Islands at 5%, and Chhattisgarh at 4.9%. 

Alcohol consumption in India depends on various factors, especially the socio-cultural patterns. Well, it is pretty much normal for women belonging to Scheduled Tribes; it is seen as a trend that breaks the stereotype in middle-class households. Women's circles are well rote to the best drinks in town, the best places that serve these, and where they can hang out till four in the morning. But, while it is often addressed as a shift from the existing stereotypes, women tend to forget that alcohol consumption is not at all empowering.

Neha Mulchandani says, "These days, it is less of empowerment for women, and more of 'being like the men' or even surpassing them in some aspects. Somehow, they have forgotten or misinterpreted empowerment. Equal opportunities and equal say don't come with more spending, partying, or drinking." 

She also insists upon the fact that what is life when you are only partying till four in the morning. What is this kind of trend that is dictated by a substance? When all your senses, behaviour, and actions are governed by it. It's not living life, it is wasting a well-built and achieved one.  

The economic landscape shifts largely when more and more people can save up with their disposable income, i.e., the income left after paying taxes and other essential expenses. Women, too, are joining the brigade with their earnings and savings. But some of them spend it on these kinds of pleasures. 

Alcohol consumption can prove very dangerous for women in the long run. Not only the health, but it can also have severe effects on other aspects of life. Here is how: 

Declining fertility rate: Alcoholism is leading to a declining fertility rate among women in India, with irregular periods and fluctuating ovulation patterns. It potentially affects their reproductive system, causing pregnancy issues, and thereafter various disorders and disabilities in infants[2]. 

Rising crimes: Alcoholism has increased accidents, crimes, and deadly offenses. Neha Mulchandani explains, "Alcohol consumption might push you to the extent of committing a crime, making you angry and unconscious, having no control over your senses. While you might be on the other end also, when someone tries taking advantage of you, robbing you, or doing anything harmful to you."  

Affects the upbringing of children: While women are busy enjoying what they call 'living', they forget to take care of the little ones waiting back home, who need their mother. Children are not fostered the way they should be, ultimately affecting their behaviour and character. What do we expect of a generation like that, and it's not even their fault, either? 

Temporary pleasure, and no real happiness: Alcohol targets the brain, secreting serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, which gives a temporary pleasure to an individual. While people term it as their moment of happiness, it is a brief amount of pleasure that is in no way bringing them any contentment in the long run. 

Lack of productivity: Women might face declining productivity with various brain function abnormalities. Heavy drinking causes memory problems and affects decision-making among females. Moreover, they are at a greater risk of declining brain function and brain damage[2]. 

Other effects on health: It is not about fertility alone; women might experience liver diseases like alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases, multiple organ cancers, especially breast cancer, among others[2]. 

​Dear women, there is nothing that you cannot do. Neither is it that you are in any way inferior to a man; it's just that this kind of addiction is only pulling you behind. Alcohol not only affects your health, but also your entire lifestyle. You might be falling out of your complete potential, just because you are not able to give your all. The reason, alcohol. Why not choose a positive addiction instead, one that keeps you inclined to your work, and lets you give your 100%? It's a choice, at least know how much is healthy for you. Freedom and empowerment should be in dreams, opportunities, decisions, and choice...