Thanks
to the National Institute of Mental Health
for the following information.
Alcoholism: A
Widespread Problem
For most people who
drink, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate
alcohol use—up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for
women and older people—is not harmful for most adults. (A standard drink
is one 12-ounce bottle or can of either beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce
glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.) Nonetheless,
a large number of people get into serious trouble because of their
drinking. Currently, nearly 17.6 million adult Americans abuse alcohol or
are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking that
could lead to alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and
heavy drinking on a regular basis. In addition, 53 percent of men and
women in the United States report that one or more of their close
relatives have a drinking problem.
The consequences of
alcohol misuse are serious – in many cases, life threatening. Heavy
drinking can increase the risk for certain cancers, especially those of
the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx (voice box). Heavy drinking can
also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and harm
to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition, drinking increases the risk of
death from automobile crashes as well as recreational and on-the-job
injuries. Furthermore, both homicides and suicides are more likely to be
committed by persons who have been drinking. In purely economic terms,
alcohol-related problems cost society approximately $185 billion per year.
In human terms, the costs cannot be calculated.
What Is
Alcoholism?
Alcoholism, also known as “alcohol dependence,” is a disease that includes
four symptoms:
- Craving: A strong
need, or compulsion, to drink.
- Loss of control: The
inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
- Physical
dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness,
and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy
drinking.
- Tolerance: The need to
drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”
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Part 5
