Alcohol and health 1.0

Ngwa was once the picture of vitality—a man full of ambition, laughter, and boundless energy. But over the years, excessive alcohol consumption carved away at the person he once was, leaving behind a shadow of his former self. 
 
It started subtly—missed work days, sluggish mornings, a growing reliance on an evening drink to “unwind.” He dismissed the fatigue, chalking it up to stress. But alcohol was working against him in ways he never expected. 

His liver, once a silent workhorse filtering toxins, began to struggle. Without his knowledge, fat accumulated within it—an early sign of alcoholic fatty liver disease. At first, there were no symptoms, just a mild discomfort he ignored. But as months passed, that discomfort turned into stabbing pains in his side. His doctor warned him: continued drinking could lead to cirrhosis, permanent liver damage that would leave him weak and vulnerable. 

His once-clear skin grew dull, puffy, with dark circles that no amount of sleep could erase. Alcohol robbed his body of essential nutrients, leading to dehydration and premature aging. 

Beyond the physical changes, his mental health suffered. What once began as social drinking turned into emotional dependence. Anxiety creeped in, then depression—masked by forced smiles at gatherings. Studies have long linked excessive alcohol use to disruptions in brain chemistry, worsening feelings of sadness and instability. 

Memory lapses became frequent. Where had he left his keys? Did he reply to that important whatsapp message in the family group chat? His concentration waned, his judgment faltered. Alcohol was rewiring his brain, making it harder to focus, harder to make sound decisions. 

The final blow came one evening—a routine night of drinking turned into a hospital visit. His heart pounded erratically, his breathing shallow. Long-term excessive alcohol use had dangerously increased his blood pressure and strained his heart. 

Lying in that hospital bed, surrounded by worried family members, Ngwa finally saw the wreckage alcohol had caused. His health, once robust, now fragile. His relationships, once cherished, now strained. His future, once promising, now uncertain. 

But it wasn’t too late. A choice stood before him: continue down the destructive path or fight for a better life. 

Ngwa’s story is not uncommon. Excessive drinking steals health, dulls ambitions, and fractures families. While alcohol is woven into celebrations, it must never become a necessity. 

It’s time for Cameroonian communities—both at home and in the diaspora—to prioritize health, to protect their future, and to recognize that alcohol, when abused, doesn’t just affect the individual—it affects generations to come. 

The next time a drink is poured, let it be with wisdom, not excess. Because one glass too many can change everything.