Alcohol addiction is one of the most terrifying and deadliest diseases in the world. Reports show that more than 100,000 deaths occur every year, directly or indirectly, due to alcohol addiction. This number includes deaths as a result of drunk driving, cancer, alcohol poisoning, cirrhosis, and other diseases caused by excessive alcohol. Nearly 50% of all deaths related to car accidents of people ranging from ages 7-30 are related to drunk driving and alcohol. An estimate 20% of all suicides are the result of alcohol or alcohol addiction.
While small drinks of alcohol may not hurt anyone, the fifth and sixth drinks can often follow. Approximately 61% of adults over the age of 18 regularly consume alcohol. Most alcohol addicts are unable to even recognize that they are addicted, but rather assume that they are only enjoying themselves by taking “a few drinks”. Alcohol addiction is a compulsive behavior and is generally recognized when one feels a “craving” or a “need” to drink beer, liquor, rum, or other alcoholic drink. Addiction is dangerous because the withdrawal symptoms are extremely difficult to deal with. These symptoms include anxiety, nausea, depression, and heavy sweating.
A high majority of alcohol addicts are unable to stop drinking without help from outsiders such as family members, counselors, and support groups. For this reason, there are thousands of support groups across America that are set up to help alcohol addicts to recover.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse claims that alcohol affects every organ in the entire body. Expectant mothers are told by physicians to avoid alcohol at all costs because of the damage it can cause to the developing fetus. A person who is intoxicated loses much of his or her brain function and basic motor skills. The Institute also performed a recent survey that resulted in some worrisome statistics:
51.6% of Americans over the age of 11 had used alcohol at some point in the month prior to being surveyed.
23.3% of those surveyed had 5 or more drinks within a 2-hour period, an activity known as “binge drinking”.
23.3% of people surveyed considered themselves “heavy” drinkers, meaning they had 5 or more drinks on 5 or more occasions.
14.6% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 had at least one alcoholic drink in the previous month.
As children grow older, they become increasingly more likely to participate in alcoholic drinking activities that can lead to alcoholic addiction. Only 15.9% of children in the 8th grade reported alcoholic consumption in the previous month, while 43.1% of 12th graders reported drinking during that same time period.
Alcohol addiction is a serious problem in America and across the globe. It is important for family members of friends keep a watchful eye on those they love and encourage them to avoid any and all activities that could lead to alcohol addiction.
Recovery Plus Offers personalized treatment programs to fit each individual participant. If you know someone suffering from addiction to alcohol, please allow us to help. Call 877-686-6751, fill out the form to the right of this page, or click the live chat button.
