Alcohol: When Should You Drink It, When Should You Stay Away?

What about your mood, your health, “jedi-jedi,” ulcers, medication, driving, and the amount you drink?

Alcohol is part of many social occasions. You see it at parties, celebrations, restaurants, clubs, family gatherings and even in people's homes.

But despite how common it is, many people don't stop to ask some basic questions:

When is drinking alcohol a bad idea? Can you drink when you have an ulcer? What about stomach problems like “jedi-jedi”? Is it okay to drink when you're stressed or angry? And does eating before drinking actually matter?

These questions are worth asking because alcohol isn't simply about what is inside the bottle. Your health, situation, mood and behaviour also matter.

What Counts as an Alcoholic Drink?

Beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, bitters and many other drinks can contain alcohol.

The type of drink may be different, but the important thing is the alcohol itself.

And this is where people sometimes get confused.

A drink can be labelled herbal, bitters, natural or contain various plant ingredients, but that doesn't mean the alcohol suddenly stops being alcohol.

Herbal doesn't automatically mean harmless.

Who Should Stay Away From Alcohol?

Alcohol isn't suitable for everyone.

You should avoid it if you:

• Are under the legal drinking age
• Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
•  Need to drive or operate machinery
•  Have been advised by a healthcare professional not to drink
• Take medication that can interact with alcohol
•  Have a condition that alcohol can worsen
• Find it difficult to control how much you drink

If you're unsure whether your medication can be taken with alcohol, ask a pharmacist or doctor rather than guessing.

Is There a Right Time to Drink?

There isn't a particular time of day that makes alcohol healthy.

Some people drink during celebrations. Others drink after work or while relaxing with friends.

The important thing is the situation.

Never drink when you're planning to drive.

And alcohol shouldn't replace basic things your body needs, such as food, water and sleep.

If you're going to drink, think about how you're getting home before you start drinking.

What About Your Mood?

This one is easy to overlook.

Before drinking, ask yourself:

 “Why am I drinking right now?”

Are you celebrating?

Or are you angry, stressed, heartbroken, lonely or trying to forget something?

Alcohol can temporarily change how you feel, but it doesn't solve the problem behind the feeling.

Using alcohol regularly to escape stress or emotional problems can create another problem over time.

Sometimes the most important thing to check isn't the drink.

It's your reason for drinking it.

What About “Jedi-Jedi”?

In Nigeria, people commonly use “jedi-jedi” to describe various stomach or digestive problems.

But “jedi-jedi” isn't a specific medical diagnosis.

Stomach pain, diarrhoea, bloating, constipation and indigestion can have different causes.

So if you're experiencing stomach problems, don't assume that alcohol or alcoholic bitters will fix them.

If symptoms persist, become severe, or occur with things such as persistent vomiting, blood in the stool, fever or significant weakness, seek medical attention rather than trying to treat the problem with alcohol.

What If You Have an Ulcer?

This is particularly important.

If you have an ulcer or another stomach condition, alcohol shouldn't be treated as medicine.

Alcohol can irritate the digestive system and may make symptoms worse for some people.

So if someone tells you:

 “Just drink bitters. It will cure your ulcer.”

Don't automatically accept that advice.

A drink being bitter doesn't make it an ulcer treatment.

If you've been diagnosed with an ulcer, follow the treatment recommended by a qualified healthcare professional.

What About Drinking With Medication?

This is another area where guessing can be dangerous.

Some medications can interact with alcohol, potentially increasing side effects or affecting how the medicine works.

So don't assume:

 “It's just one drink, nothing will happen.”

If you're taking medication and you're unsure about alcohol, check with a pharmacist or doctor.

Does Eating Before Drinking Matter?

Food doesn't make alcohol harmless, but drinking on an empty stomach can cause alcohol to be absorbed more quickly.

If you're choosing to drink, eating beforehand and staying hydrated can be sensible.

But food shouldn't be viewed as a way to “cancel out” alcohol.

There is no meal that makes excessive drinking safe.

So, Is Alcohol Bad?

It's more complicated than simply saying yes or no.

Alcohol carries health risks, and generally, less alcohol means lower alcohol-related risk.

What matters is understanding what you're consuming and recognising situations where drinking isn't appropriate.

The question shouldn't always be:

 “Which alcohol is best?”

Sometimes the better question is:

 “Should I be drinking at all right now?” 

Before You Open That Bottle…

Whether it's beer, wine, spirits, cocktails or bitters, take a moment to think.

• Why are you drinking?
• How much are you drinking?
• Are you taking medication?
• Do you have a health condition?
• Do you need to drive afterward?
• Are you drinking because you want to enjoy yourself, or because you're trying to escape something?

Those questions can be more important than the name printed on the bottle.

The Bottom Line

Alcohol is common, but common doesn't mean harmless or suitable for everyone.

Know what you're drinking. Know your limits. Understand your health situation. Don't mix alcohol with situations where it creates additional danger, especially driving.

And if you're using alcohol to treat an illness, stomach problem, ulcer or emotional problem, that's a good reason to stop and reconsider.

Sometimes the smartest thing you can do with a bottle is not ask, “Can I finish it?”

Ask, “Do I actually need it?”

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How & Why — Siricy Blog

How & Why explores everyday questions in simple language — from health and food to technology, money, relationships and the things we encounter in everyday life.

Real questions. Simple answers.