Peg Habits of Drinking Alcohol
What is irritating is to define what is called peg in drinking terminology.
It varies from locality to locality.
In standard, Ceylonese Bar a peg is 100 grams.
I now realize it is 100ml not in grams and alcohol is less heavier than water and selling it by weight is a economic catastrophe for the vendor.
In good old days of my drinking habits, I pay Rs. 200/= for half a peg or 50 grams.
When one peg went up to Rs.420/= (including 10% VAT), under Mangala Smaraweera, I abruptly stopped drinking.
Nowadays, they DO NOT dish out less than 150 grams which is equivalent to Rs.630/= (including 10% VAT), in total. With an omelette, a portion of chips and the tip to the bar tender, it went up to Rs.1000/=.
A pensioner cannot afford.
Mind you VAT has gone up to 18% under NPP/JVP.
In the context of alcohol consumption, the number of "pegs" equivalent to one standard drink varies depending on the size of the peg and the specific alcoholic beverage.
However, a standard drink is defined as 10 grams of pure alcohol, according to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
In many places, a standard peg of spirits is considered to be 30ml, which is approximately one standard drink.
Assuming each 10ml contained 3.33 grams of alcohol.
However, larger "double" or "Patiala" pegs can be 60ml or even 80ml, containing more than one standard drink.
In Australia, a standard drink is defined as 10 grams of pure alcohol.
A standard peg of spirits, such as whisky or vodka, is often 30ml, but larger pegs can be 40ml, 60ml, or even 80ml.
The alcohol content (ABV) of the beverage also plays a role in determining how many standard drinks it contains. For example, a 30ml peg of 40% ABV whisky contains roughly one standard drink.
The size of a peg can vary by region and even by the type of establishment serving the alcohol.
To determine how many pegs equal one standard drink, you would need to know:
The size of the peg (in ml or fluid ounces).
The ABV (alcohol by volume) of the specific alcoholic beverage.
My problem is after the first peg my mathematical brain goes to hibernation and I miss all my calculations.
However, I make a point to take some food home and wait until I am fully sober.
The bottom line is after, I stopped drinking completely, in about 9 months my memory improved by 90%.
The 10% loss I contribute to the effects of age.
I used to only look at the alcohol content of the beverage and 20% was the upper limit.
I think VSOA is over 36.8%.
750 ml costs Rs.4,400/= currently.
It was Rs1000/= for 750ml bottle but one gets a refund of RS.250/= for the bottle.
At the Drum Bar in Kandy the minimum dish out was Rs.350/= of unadulterated alcohol from the barrel.
I know all these since all the Three Wheeler drivers were given a bonus of 500 or 750ml bottle at the end of the job in addition to the trip fare. They can drink only after dropping me at home.
If I did contest a local elections I was sure of their vote. I cheated all of them saying that I am going to contest the Presidential Election.
Only one of my Engineer friends told me point blank, that I was cheating.
My long term memory is intact and it is the short term memory that is fading.
Even, if I take a single peg on a birth day party I cannot go to sleep as usual.
I think it induces ketosis in me.
If my memory of 1975 copy of General Pathology of Water and Israel is correct, even a single peg causes ketosis for over 8 hours.
1. Ketosis
2. Alcoholic Hepatitis
3. Cirrhosis
Only 10 to 20% of chronic alcoholic become cirrhotic and I hope one is on the 80% category.
My bottom line analysis is that human beings had been drinking alcohol over millions of years and only the one who could resist alcohol damage survived over evolution.
Incidentally, they banned updating General Pathology by Walter and Israel.
Only update after that in Medical History is my book on "Joys of Alcohol" at Amazon Book Store. It is selling OK in Americas.
I stand to correction.
Above comments include a few facts that I could not record and missing in my book.
In short, excessive alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for liver damage and reducing or eliminating alcohol intake is crucial for recovery.
Do not believe on the capacity of the liver to heal or regenerate.
PS.
I was revising an article on Growth Hormone and its effects.
To enjoy the effects of HGH on health and metabolism one needs a robust Liver.
Liver produces a Insulin Like Growth hormone or Somatotrophin and this response is retarded in alcoholics.
