Alcohol: A Medicolegal Menace And Clinical Monstrosity

Abstract

Objective: To emphasize multi-dimensional detrimental systemic effects of alcohol and its  medicolegal connotation and lack of mandatory equipment for instant blood alcohol  concentration levels
Methods: It was cross sectional cohort study conducted in the medicolegal clinic of Services
Hospital Lahore for the year of 2015 to 2018. All the cases reported in medicolegal clinic were the
target sample of the population and followed up as procedural chain of custody for alcohol
analysis from PFSAto whom blood samples were dispatched.
Results: Results showed a total of 75 cases in 2015, 88 in 2016, 151 in 2017 & 194 in 2018. Of
these 508 cases over 4 years 487 were male and 21 were female. 374 of 508 presented as being
oriented in time place & person whereas 134 were disoriented. Behavioral statistical analysis
showed 242 were cooperative in attitude, 36 were non-cooperative. 101 were talkative, 78 cases
were euphoric. However 14 were quiet, 07 were comatose and 30 were stuprous. 348 individuals
had congested facial appearance whereas 160 appeared normal. 137 presented with a
staggering gait while the remaining 371 walked in normal.
Conclusions: Whether it is a religious function, a celebration, party or any routine social intake,  alcohol is the root cause of all the evil in the society. Socioeconomic burden, medicolegal issues,  clinical morbidity & mortality, overworked addiction clinics all contribute to deterioration of an  individual as well as the nation collectively