Alcohol Abuse Statistics

Alcohol abuse statistics have painted a grim picture not only in the US, but also in most countries across the globe. Many people are under the impression that alcohol abuse statistics mainly portray the problem among people who are poor and uneducated. Well, this is a bit of a misconception, as studies have shown this problem can be equally prevalent among the educated, as alcohol addiction doesn’t discriminate.

In the US, 100,000 people die each year due to excessive consumption of alcohol, and 50% of fatal car accidents are related to alcohol. The people of Luxembourg consume the highest amount of alcohol in the world. Other countries coming a close second are Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Ireland. Although the US stands 26th on this list, the problem of alcoholism is far greater in comparison, and this issue costs the government around $60 billion annually. Each day in the US, it is believed that more than 11,000 teenagers have their first taste of alcohol.

What is Considered Alcohol Abuse?

When alcohol consumption has become habitual, and the drinking pattern has become dysfunctional, then it is considered alcohol abuse.

Drinking has very negative effects on the social, educational, and working life of the person, but the person continues to drink despite all the consequences. Alcoholism is almost the same thing as alcohol addiction, but a person abusing alcohol may not have developed a dependency like an alcoholic.

Alcoholism isn’t always distinguished by an utter physical dependency, though that is very often the case.

Alcoholism is essentially looked upon as a disease in the medical community and is treated as such. With alcoholism, the individual will make the final assessment of him or herself whether there is an alcohol addiction present, and alcohol abuse does not always denote a full-blown addiction. In either case, the individual will almost always require help.

Is there a Safe Limit for Consuming Alcohol? – Certain research studies have indicated health benefits from moderately drinking wine. The benefits include a reduced risk of having a stroke, experiencing dementia, and heart disease. However, the intake of wine should be limited to four to six ounces per day for an adult. Secondly, the person should be vigilant, and not give in to urges for drinking more wine to reap the benefits and to avoid negative health consequences.

Alcohol in any form is very easily habit forming and it can slowly creep in without the person being aware of what is happening. Hence, even when the person is consuming alcohol in quantities that are considered safe, it is very important to be vigilant, so that it does not form into a habit. There is a certain insidiousness with alcohol that can sneak up on the most well-informed, educated, and intelligent individual.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

One of the sure signs of alcohol abuse will be the person consuming alcohol for the sole purpose of getting drunk. The person is driven by a powerful urge to consume alcohol, and once the individual starts, it is difficult for them to stop. Indications of a dependence on alcohol can also be gauged by the person’s behavior pattern. Such an individual may be quite irritable when not having a drink, and may become quite angry or be in utter denial when anybody tries to give advice or make any mention about the possibility of there being a problem.

When the person is unable to get a drink, after starting to develop a dependency, there are withdrawal symptoms which include cold sweats, involuntary shaking, nausea, irritability, and nervousness. These symptoms can worsen with a more serious physical dependency. Alcohol abuse statistics of the United States show that 20% of males and 10% of females are afflicted by alcoholism. The majority of people who have developed alcohol dependence have done so in the age group of 18 to 25 years.

Risk Factors of Alcohol Abuse

People who start to abuse alcohol will very often become alcoholics, which will have a devastating effect on all aspects of their lives. Risk factors include anxiety, depression, mood swings, low self-esteem, and impulsive behavior. Studies of alcohol abuse statistics have shown teens and children who had their first taste of alcohol when they were in the age group of 11 to 14 years were most likely to develop drinking problems, compared to individuals who had started drinking alcohol much later in their lives.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse statistics reveal that most people suffer from long-term effects, unless they resort to treatment. Alcohol consumption in excess systematically ruins almost every organ in the body. Some of the most common effects are irregular heartbeat, impotence, hypertension, liver cirrhosis, strokes, pancreatitis, and amnesia. A scary statistic is that about 15% of alcoholics who do not get help will eventually end up committing suicide.

Can a Person Stop Abusing Alcohol? – Alcohol abuse statistics reveal that it is not possible for most people to stop abusing alcohol without outside help or a treatment program. Some people are able to reduce their drinking when they are able to cope effectively with the problems in their lives, however, for most people this is a temporary phase. The most effective way to stop alcohol abuse is to get help and take part in a treatment program.

Treatment for Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse statistics reveal that this problem has grown to epidemic proportions, and governments of countries across the world are spending huge amounts of money on various treatment programs. Medical experts are of the opinion that there is no cure for alcoholism. However, it can be successfully treated like any chronic disease. Treatments for alcoholism will vary, as they have to effectively address the psychological and physical factors of each addict. Secondly, the alcoholic should at least have a desire to stop drinking and a willingness to receive help.

People who have been abusing alcohol for months or years will undergo a traumatic experience physically and psychologically if they suddenly stop drinking. Therefore, most medical experts recommend that drinking should be stopped only under a doctor’s supervision, or that of an alcohol treatment facility. There are certain medications which will be prescribed by the doctor in many cases that help in reducing withdrawal symptoms.

The most well recognized recovery program for alcoholism is AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), and this organization has groups in all parts of the world. This recovery program addresses all aspects of alcoholism, including suggestions for avoiding a relapse, steps that are created to address underlying issues, as well as a support system that many have found necessary. Apart from AA, there are many other treatment centers across the US, which offer various programs for overcoming alcohol abuse.

In essence, anyone who has a level of physical alcohol dependency will want to look into a treatment facility, of which there are many options, if they want the best chance of success. Mots of the time the individual will begin with a detox that may last from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of the addiction. Then there are options for treatment following detox, including inpatient rehab, outpatient programs, and sober living situations. There are also treatment variations that include holistic, gender-based, age specific, faith-based, and non-12 step options.

Statistical studies on alcohol abuse have shown that this problem not only affects the individual, but also causes a lot of harm to other people as well, loved ones at the top of the list. Drunk driving and alcohol-related violence has claimed many innocent lives across the world. Alcohol is also a leading contributor to fatalities related to violence and accidents. It is imperative for anyone facing this serious problem to get educated about this affliction and take appropriate steps as soon as possible, such as joining an effective treatment program, or an intervention for a loved one.

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