6 Buddhist Reasons To Avoid Alcohol

A weird thing about Western society is the collective acceptance of one of the most dangerous drugs: alcohol. Me personally, I have a passive binge drinking, and I'm happy to say that I drink rarely these days, if not at all. For me, drinking was a gateway to loads of fun, working as a social lubricant to deal with insecurity and anxiety. I think I'm not the only one who thinks that way. Most people I know drink weekly or even daily. In many cases, drinking a few beers on Friday afternoon has become a corporate ritual.

We are so under the spell of that poisonous substance that washes away our worries and sorrow and makes us flee from the one thing we dread the most: our minds. I believe that most of us can name a few downsides of drinking from personal experience, like those dreadful hangovers and doing stuff you regret later. But what can we say about drinking from a spiritual perspective? Or, to be more specific, what did the Buddha say about drinking alcohol? Like most religions, Buddhism emphasizes the dangers of intoxication.

In Buddhist ancient scriptures called the Suta Potaka, the Buddha points out six reasons why we should avoid alcohol, as well as other intoxicants. By the way, I will show you these points in this video and accompany them with some personal anecdotes of my history as a [ __ ] to endure.

1. Loss of wealth

Well, I had to think for a moment about what the Buddha could have meant by this, but I think it's very simple. In fact, a friend of mine provided me the answer very recently: boozing eats up your bank account. We talked about the good old times when we went partying and drinking, and we reflected on how much money we actually spent on alcohol. Not only did we buy tons of beer and wine at the supermarkets, but we also spent a fortune on expensive drinks in cafes and clubs. At some point, I think I spent about 500 euros a month on booze alone.

Another important danger of drinking is that this can cost you your job. Appearing at work with a hangover or calling in sick because you drank too much the night before makes you unreliable and unattractive for your employer. I've learned this the hard way, believe me. So if you care about the contents of your wallet, avoid alcohol.

2. Increased quarreling

Oftentimes, alcohol usage destroys families and relationships. Yes, I know that drinking has a bonding effect as well, but there are too many examples of misery induced by drinking. Personally, I fought with a lot of people while intoxicated. Alcohol lowers my inhibitions and withers my ability to restrain my anger. I got into fights with friends, ex-girlfriends, family members, and complete strangers. I mean, why do you think there's so much aggression in places where people drink? Because alcohol makes some people recklessly aggressive. So if you want less fighting and drama in your life, avoid alcohol.

3. Susceptibility to illness

The hangover is just one facet of the immediate health consequences of drinking booze. Alcohol lowers your immune system and makes you more susceptible to illness. In the country that I'm from, the biggest yearly celebration is our naval, which is a five-day-long drinking festival. Needless to say, the flu loves carnival, and it's no surprise that many people get sick. About 15 percent of the partygoers call in sick to work afterward.

Also, there are many long-term health risks in regard to drinking, like weight gain, liver damage, stomach damage, brain damage (like the Korsakoff syndrome), fertility problems, and psychosis. So if you care about your health, listen to the Buddha and avoid alcohol.

4. Disrepute

Many people drink because of social reasons. Buddha advises you not to drink, and also for social reasons. Although your reputation is not entirely in your control, you can influence it for sure. Being drunk all the time is a way to destroy your reputation or at least create a reputation that you do not want to have. Many years ago, I had the reputation of being the drunken clown, and I often made a mess of the places I visited. Yes, I had great fun, but I did a lot of stupid things and damaged relationships for good.

We often hear from people that they regret what they did in a drunken stupor. That's why drinking heavily in the presence of your co-workers, or worse, your boss, is not a good idea. Also, a lot of promiscuity is a consequence of alcohol consumption, along with infidelity. Cheating brings you into disrepute, aside from the fact that it's insanely hurtful to the person you have cheated on. So take the Buddhist advice: if you want to protect your reputation, avoid alcohol.

5. Weekend insensitivity

A more spiritual dimension in regard to drinking and other intoxicants is that it basically makes you unconscious. Alcohol alters your mind and weakens your ability to think and react properly. Recently, I heard someone say that the true nature of a person appears when that person is drunk. I believe that this is only partly true. I would say that the primal parts of a person come to the surface, which manifests in more lusts, more aggression, and basically more raw emotion, while your awareness and thinking capacity go down the drain.

This affects your ability to make good decisions. Drunk people make a lot of poor decisions, including the amount of money they spend, the people they sleep with, and the person they punch in the face who happens to be a soccer hooligan accompanied by his buddies. So if you want to stay clear and focused, you might want to consider avoiding alcohol.

6. Indecent exposure

Well, this point relates strongly to the fourth point. Another personal confession of mine is walking on the streets with my pants down, with my you-know-what for the world to see. I'm happy to say that this has happened many years ago, and I haven't done that ever since. But during the years, I've seen many other people, men and women, publicly exposing themselves in ways they would normally never do. Most of the time, they regret it.

Also, exposing your body parts often attracts the wrong people, especially as a woman. There are plenty of predators out there that seek to exploit drunk people who have lost any decency. So if you are prone to exhibiting your body parts to the public when drunk, avoid alcohol.

And that's it. Thank you for watching.