Inebriation, crimes have lot of relativity: Expert

CHENNAI: A series of crimes witnessed by Chennai in the past one week has a common reason for the occurrences - alcohol. The woman driver who knocked down a casual labour at OMR and the bikers who attempted chain snatching were inebriated, killing two persons. In this regard, Deccan Chronicle spoke to psychiatrists to decipher the mental status of a tipsy offender.

The founder of T.T. Ranganathan clinical research foundation, Shanthi Ranganathan explains how alcohol could take away discretion. "The ability to think right will be lost under the influence of alcohol. That is a crucial reason of why alcohol consumption and crime have a lot of relativity," said Shanthi. Echoing the same, psychiatrist and founder of Sneha suicide prevention centre,  Lakshmi Vijayakumar, said the crime rates are three to four times more due to alcohol.  "Alcohol consumption reduces inhibitions and judgement is compromised. An addict doesn't hesitate to indulge in unlawful activities as the body craves for it," she said. Though not alcoholic, a person in inebriated condition is prone to commit crimes, she added. According to her, 30 to 35% suicides in the city are due to alcoholism.

Psychologist K. Venkataramani said a tippler possesses temporary confidence, which stops him from ascertaining the consequences of the act. "They cannot control their emotions and are completely imbalanced," he said.