A Heady Mixture

Alcohol use and abuse can be traced to ancient civilizations. If alcohol formed an important component of Egyptian burial, the Greeks had Dionysus, their very own god of wine. As a social artifact, alcohol plays various roles. It is used in religious ceremonies, in social gatherings, in festivals and also at an individual level as a relaxant. With the passage of time the pattern and types of alcohol consumption has changed, unfortunately, for the worse. When faced with a severe lack of opportunity alcohol is perceived as a way out of the complexities of life. But unknowingly people make their lives more complex. Peer pressure and socialization in an environment where alcohol is used draws people into the vicious circle of alcohol consumption. Rise in alcoholism has led to break up of families, emotional trauma, economic hardships and countless deaths. This book carries out a comprehensive study of the changing patterns of alcohol consumption in Darjeeling and its social, economical and cultural ramifications.