The Bigger Picture:Three years ago this Thursday, the Republic implemented the smoking ban and made Ireland a world leader in the liberation of human beings. It took courage, hopefulness and self-belief as a nation.
And it sent a very tangible message to our population: we have standards and expectations in physical health, and will hold them out for ourselves and each other.
Undeniably, some struggled with the idea, and probably still do. It is difficult, but not unexpected. Still, on this third anniversary of the smoking ban, in pride and celebration of this bold move, I believe it is time to take the next step in our liberation. That is, face the most prickly issue of alcohol.
Firstly, I want to recognise that challenging alcohol is a more tricky battle. The ban on smoking was about location, not consumption. Smoking, by its nature, conscripts innocent bystanders to participate involuntarily in it. The subtext of our ban was to protect others - the workers - rather than consider standards for ourselves.
It's much easier to fight for someone else, than for ourselves. Furthermore, this ban focused its consideration on the passive effects of smoking, and not the destructive effects of the addiction itself.
Even so, I think the effect of the ban has been tremendous. Not only has it protected non-smokers (and sent a useful message to the next generation), it has also created a context that facilitates smokers to smoke less should they choose. It was also followed with other initiatives to encourage smokers to stop smoking.
Because alcohol consumption does not include an immediate and obvious harm to others at the point of consumption (its harm when first consumed is more personal, subtle and internal and only becomes socially destructive when it accumulates in excess), conceiving and implementing useful policies to curb alcohol consumption will more likely force us to be more direct in facing the struggle. And that is always more difficult.
I am not suggesting that everyone must abstain from alcohol, although there are valid reasons why someone would want this for themselves (and others). We have formed a very intimate relationship with alcohol in our culture. We can't imagine life without it. We are uncomfortable with having people around who decide to drink something non-intoxicating.
But alcohol is an addictive drug that stresses our bodies, alters our mood, interferes with our thinking and is linked to road accidents, domestic violence, crime, unwanted or inappropriate sex, depression and suicide. We need to face this and do something about how central it is in our lives, for our own growth and progression.
There is a reason why alcohol has become so embedded into our modern culture. It is not because of a personal flaw in our people or something inherently destructive in Irish culture. It is a classic and visible characteristic of groups who have been exceptionally oppressed.
The more oppression a group has had to survive, the more likely that survival will have included the use of mind-numbing drugs.
Therefore, thoughtful social and political initiatives that assist us to free ourselves from alcohol need acknowledging and healing from the hurts of that history - real, tangible hurts that have been handed down through the generations.
This is possible. While we often concentrate on how alcohol negatively affects one's physical health, challenging our habits around alcohol is an exercise in the liberation of one's mental health. This type of emotional healing - the kind that allows you to take risks, follow your imagination, let your heart soar, and also support (rather than hinder) others who do this - is possible. Engaging in it will not mean that Irish people will lose their warmth, beauty and humanity. All that will be lost is the emotional consequences of historic experiences.
There is something I love about the pub culture. When someone asks if you want to go for a pint, it is implicit that this will be a time when we can talk. The talk doesn't have to be heavy. Most often it's simply a connection: how are things in your life, what's going on for you at the moment, and also fun things like "what ifs" and "did you knows". It is a chance to break the stress and isolation and share of yourself. I can't think of a more useful project.
The problem with alcohol, however, is that it makes the chat rubbish. The more you drink, the more rubbish it gets. And the more you drink, the more isolated you feel inside.
So try this: every third time you socialise, choose not to drink. For the other times, choose to drink less. Notice if you feel awkward or unsure, and let yourself develop genuine courage in those areas. Make each moment about breaking the isolation, enjoying or developing your connections, and sharing of yourself. I promise you, your quality of life will improve, as will your possibilities.
ssinha@irish-times.ie
Shalini Sinha is a life coach and Bowen practitioner in her clinic, Forward Movement, based in Dublin.