Mangaluru: The Department of Psychiatry, KMC Attavar held a CME on ‘Alcohol Disorders – Interface and Intervention’ at the Sanjeevini Hall, KMC Hospital premises, Attavar on June 20.
The inaugural programme began with an invocation by Dr Rekha T. HOD of Psychiatry Department, Dr Keshava Pai welcomed the gathering. Dr Madhusudan Upadhyay (Ex-Medical Superintendent of KMC Hospital Attavar) inaugurated the event by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
In his inaugural speech, Dr Upadhyay said that alcohol and substance abuse is on the rise today, especially among the youth. “I am not here because I am a drinker but due to the fact that anaesthetists and orthodontists are familiar with alcohol as it is the oldest known sedative. It’s use in the field however, has drastically reduced today. There has been a dangerous trend recently of alcohol addiction among the youth. We need to see to it that the younger generation does not fall victim to alcohol addiction with timely intervention.” He appreciated this wonderful step taken by the Psychiatry Department to examine the effects of alcohol use and intervention of alcohol disorders.
In his keynote address, Additional Professor Dr Satish Rao (Dept of Medicine, KMC) explained the causes and effects of alcohol abuse. He also gave a talk on a PowerPoint presentation on the subject that touched upon alcohol usage trends, types, causes for addiction, consequences and management. It presented alarming trends of drinking among the youth, with the drop in drinking age from 28 yrs in 1980 to 13 yrs in 2012. According to a survey conducted by The Lancet, more than half of all alcohol drinkers in India fall under the criteria for hazardous drinking, making alcohol abuse a major public health problem in the country. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men, while NIAAA defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL or more than 4-5 drinks within a period of 2 hours. Dr Rao concluded the presentation saying that early interventions are successful in reducing chronicity and severity, and ultimately, moderation is the key to control alcohol disorders.
Organising secretary Mariella D’Souza delivered the vote of thanks. Dr Kiran Kumar, delegates, staff of Psychiatry department and others were present.