Healthy Living
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Alcohol use
Researchers estimate that there are approximately 10 million alcoholics in the U.S. Another 20 million are alcohol abusers, most of whom are teenagers or college students. About 2 out of every 3 adults use alcohol. Over half of all suicides, homicides, and accidental deaths are alcohol related. Over 10,000 young people are killed and 40,000 more are injured annually in alcohol-related automobile accidents.
The annual cost of lost productivity and health expenses related to alcoholism is estimated to be over 100 billion dollars. While it is estimated that only 1 out of 10 people (about 1.5 million Americans) get help for their alcohol problem, the cost for such help is staggering.
Alcoholism is a type of drug dependence that is both psychological and physical. Danger signs of excessive drinking include: - alcohol related automobile citations or accidents
- blackouts
- concerns expressed by friends or spouse
- depression
- drinking excessively and often
- drinking to make problems go away
- loss of control
- making excuses for drinking
- medical problems such as gastritis or ulcers
- missed work days
- morning or solitary drinking
- preoccupation with drinking
Consumption of alcohol gradually depresses brain function. Emotions, thought processes, and judgment are first to be affected by alcohol consumption. With continued drinking, motor control becomes impaired, causing slurred speech, slower reactions, and poor balance. Both increased body fat and drinking on an empty stomach speed the rate of alcohol intoxication.
The diseases most frequently caused by alcoholism are:
Although research suggests that most problem drinkers can learn to moderate their drinking, most American treatment programs treat all heavy drinkers as though they have the severe problems associated with alcoholism. The Institute of Medicine has called for expanded treatment options, but so far the treatment community has resisted providing them. For alcoholics, the best treatment goal is abstinence.
Common falsehoods about drinking and alcoholism include:
- Only those who lack will power become alcoholics.
- Drinking can make you warm.
- Alcohol is a stimulant.
- Alcoholics Anonymous is the only effective treatment.
- Your true personality comes out when you are drunk.
- Old people do not become alcoholics.
Avoid alcohol consumption when pregnant. Health damage to the unborn child can be significant. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most common known cause of mental retardation.
Parental responsibilities include:
- Educate your children by example and by counseling about the dangerous effects of alcohol.
- Establish a trusting communication with your children so that sensitive issues can be discussed.
- Don't allow your children to be guided completely by their peers. Your children need your firm and loving guidance as their parent much more than they need you as a friend.
For help, call your local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which offers a sober peer group as an effective example of how to achieve total abstinence from alcohol. (See alcoholism - support group). Other support groups for people with alcohol problems include SMART Recovery, LifeRing Recovery, and Moderation Management (for heavy drinkers, not alcoholics). Because approximately half of all alcoholics have a mental illness (such as depression) in addition to their alcoholism, it is important to get a psychiatric evaluation and treat the additional problem to prevent relapse.
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