Hung's family rushed him to Ninh Binh Hospital for emergency treatment. Subsequent test results showed his liver enzymes were 8 times the normal level, and his blood fat was similarly elevated, nearing pancreatitis. Doctors informed him that his liver cells were damaged from continuously processing a large amount of ethanol in a short period.
"Where I live, every male emotion must pass through the neck of a bottle. When your son gets into university, you have to drink to show your contentment," Hung recounted, never imagining that joy would turn into illness.
Another male patient was admitted to the Mental Health Department, E Hospital, in a state of physical exhaustion, with blood pressure fluctuating at dangerous levels and symptoms of severe anxiety disorder. Doctor Nguyen Viet Chung, Head of the department, explained that heavy economic pressure since the birth of his second child had left the man feeling trapped. Each time he tried to open up and share his difficulties, his wife would sigh, accompanied by comparisons to others.
Unable to find understanding from his family, he chose to turn into a beer quan after work. Initially, everything seemed harmless. After a tiring day, a few cans of beer made him feel better, temporarily forgetting the pressure and helping him sleep faster. But gradually, his alcohol consumption increased, he gained weight, and his waistline grew larger.
From a few beers to feel at ease, he moved on to strong liquor to forget reality. Only when intoxication suppressed his reason did the man dare to utter the heartfelt words that he was exhausted and felt a pervasive loneliness. He was prescribed treatment for chronic illness and anxiety disorder.
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Alcohol is a direct cause of over 30 non-communicable diseases and nearly 200 other ailments. Photo: Thu Anh
Vietnam ranks second in Southeast Asia for alcohol consumption, with a rising percentage of men drinking at harmful levels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol directly causes over 30 non-communicable diseases and is linked to nearly 200 other conditions, ranking third among causes of premature death and global disability.
A study in The Lancet indicates that alcohol directly inhibits the prefrontal cortex, the area that controls reason and social filters. When this barrier is paralyzed, pent-up emotions are released. That is why men cannot speak their deepest feelings when sober, but cry and embrace each other when drunk.
The body, however, pays a heavy price. Doctor Doan Du Manh, from the Vietnam Association of Vascular Disease, stated that alcohol disrupts neurotransmission and inhibits water-retaining hormones, causing drinkers to feel parched and have a headache the next morning. In the long term, it leads to stomach ulcers, liver cirrhosis, heart failure, stroke, and memory impairment.
For example, upon entering the body, 90% of the alcohol (ethanol) is metabolized by the liver, producing acetaldehyde – an intermediate toxin that directly destroys liver cells and causes acute cellular inflammation. This continuous processing of alcohol forces the liver to temporarily halt other vital functions, leading to the accumulation of fat particles in cells and the formation of fatty liver disease. If individuals continue to abuse alcohol, the prolonged damaged liver cells will die, forming irreversible scar tissue (cirrhosis) and gradually losing their function of filtering out toxins for the body.
"Many believe a few beers relieve stress, but they are borrowing a sedative and paying interest with their liver," doctor Manh said.
The problem, according to experts, lies not in the glass of alcohol but in Vietnamese men's lack of healthy tools to process emotions. "Society teaches men to be strong, not to complain. When they are not allowed to cry when sober, they borrow alcohol to legitimize emotional expression," said Master of Psychology Nguyen Thi Huong Lan, from the BHIU Training Institute.
To break this toxic cycle, behavioral change requires specific alternative therapies instead of general advice. Master Lan believes that emotional release is only truly sustainable when it is based on activities that stimulate the body to produce natural happiness hormones through physical activity and healthy social connections.
Ms. Huong Lan proposed three steps to transform daily habits for men: replacing invitations like "Let's have a few drinks tonight" with suggestions like "Let's go for a run at the park tonight" or "Let's grab coffee and chat". Vigorous physical activity releases large amounts of endorphins, which relieve stress more effectively than alcohol. In fact, many men who used to drink 4-5 times a week significantly reduced their alcohol consumption after switching to running.
Cancers related to alcohol.
Secondly, change celebration methods. Instead of organizing multi-day parties to mark achievements, switch to experiential activities such as a family trip, buying a practical gift, or spending time playing sports with children.
Finally, it is necessary to apply strict limits. In cases where entertaining guests is unavoidable, do not exceed WHO's recommended limits of 720 ml of beer or 60 ml of strong liquor daily for men.
Thuy Quynh
