Alcohol Statistics

"Many people only think of a 'skid-row bum' when they think of someone with an alcohol problem. This is the end stage of alcohol problems, when a person has lost his or her family, job and health because of alcohol abuse. A person doesn't reach this stage overnight."

"In some areas, part of the DUI school curriculum puts offenders face to face with victims, who tell their painful stories of how a drunk driver changed their lives forever. The idea is that personalizing the pain that drinking and driving can cause might make the offender stop and think before getting behind the wheel after drinking."

"Although the term 'addiction' is frequently used in reference to drug or alcohol addiction, it also applies to other compulsions such as, obsessive sex, uncontrollable overeating, a neurotic desire for porn, compelling Internet use, uncontrollable gambling, and an obsessive need for love."

"Telling teens and pre-teens to 'Just Say No' is simply not enough to stop them from drinking. This message neglects the underlying pressures that youth face every day. In fact, this simplistic message not only tends to turn teens off, but it also can become a source of humor for them. Rather than just telling them not to drink, teach them about the harmful effects and about the consequences of underage drinking."

"Drug and alcohol abuse research shows that there is an increasing need to address the fact that depression and alcoholism are problems for older adults. Clinicians need to watch so that they do not confuse these disorders with 'normal aging.'"

"Parents often assume that teens try alcohol and drugs to rebel or to 'fit in' with their peer group. However, teens with undiagnosed emotional or behavioral problems often use drugs and alcohol as a way to relieve their frustrations."

"In the United States, approximately 50,000 cases of alcohol poisoning are reported each year, and roughly once every week, someone dies from this preventable condition."

"Do you want to drink less alcohol or refrain from drinking entirely? Do you want to stop your alcohol abuse? There are many reasons why you may want to reduce your drinking or stop drinking. For example, you may want to sleep better, get along better with your family and friends, or improve your health. You may also want to have more control over your finances and perhaps have a better, more realistic perspective about life. Make a list stating why you want to drink less or quit entirely and then follow through with your drinking 'plan.'"

"According to the substance abuse research literature, at first, the individual drinks alcohol to reduce emotional or physical pain. After neuroadaptation has caused the brain to adjust to the influx of alcohol, however, the individual drinks not to reduce pain but rather to function on a daily basis. In short, abusing alcohol and drugs change the brain that in turn leads to compulsive and uncontrollable drug abuse and/or drinking."

"Research demonstrates that parents who exhibit parental responsibility by taking the time and making the effort to know the warning signs of alcohol abuse in their teenage sons and daughters can help lead to early corrective action such as counseling and treatment and can, as a result, make a substantial and positive difference in the drinking behavior of their children."

"According to alcoholism research, there are higher rates of alcoholism in the unemployed, laborers, those of lower socioeconomic status, those that drop out of high school, those who entered college but failed to earn a degree, and those under more stress."

"U.S. alcohol abuse researchers have discovered that children learn their attitudes about drinking from those around them, especially from their friends, their parents, and from other adults."

"According to a growing group of substance abuse experts, behavioral and biological explanations of drug abuse need to be given equal weight and integrated with each other if a deeper understanding of the root causes of drug addiction are to be found and more effective treatments are to be developed."

"According to one study, alcohol use was a factor in 40% to 60% of auto accidents resulting in personal injury or death among American college students."

"According to one U.S. alcoholism study, of the 940,000 people who said they needed alcohol or drug abuse treatment in a specialty facility, only 314,000 made an effort to get treatment, while 625,000 made no effort."

"Call your doctor whenever you or someone you love has an alcohol-related problem. Remember, alcoholism is an illness that can be treated, not a sign of weakness or poor character."

"According to the substance abuse research literature, previous studies that attempted to identify alcohol addiction subtypes were undertaken with individuals who were in treatment for their addiction. Due to the fact that approximately 25% of all alcoholics ever seek treatment, it can be determined that the majority of alcohol dependent individuals were not included in these research studies."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research reveals that once an alcoholic decides to quit drinking, goes through alcoholism detox and through alcohol withdrawal, and completes treatment, it is imperative for the alcoholic to take part in a rehab or alcohol recovery program such as Alcoholics Anonymous to help him or her sustain sobriety and receive alcoholism recovery support."

"Medical research continues to reveal greater health risks for women who drink compared to men. The latest studies show that females, even young women, face more brain damage than men who drink the same amount for the same period of time."

"A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows one-fourth of all U.S. traffic deaths among children (under age 15) involved alcohol. Children were most often in a car driven by a drunk driver and unrestrained."

"Fetal alcohol syndrome is a combination of physical and mental birth defects that affects about 6% of the babies born to U.S. women who are alcohol abusers or alcoholics."

"Some of the behavioral and physiological factors that converge to increase or decrease a person's risk for alcohol problems, including tolerance to alcohol's effects, may be directly linked to genetics."

"Studies have shown that inpatient detoxification programs are more effective and longer lasting than outpatient detox programs. The important issue here, however, is the following: the more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms, the more likely that inpatient detox programs should be used."

"In the U.S., alcohol abusers who require surgery also have an increased risk of postoperative complications, including infections, bleeding, insufficient heart and lung functions, and problems with wound healing."

"According to a report published by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, most adolescents continue to drink after they first try drinking alcohol. To substantiate this finding, research has found that 91.3 percent of high school seniors who earlier in their lives experimented with alcohol continued to drink when they were in the 12th grade."

"People seem to love information about alcoholism facts and statistics. In fact, information about alcoholism facts and statistics are some of most widely quoted aspects regarding alcoholics, alcoholism, and problem drinking."

"Statistics reveal that alcohol abuse accounts for approximately 67% of the total number of substance abuse complaints that American employers receive. While this alcohol fact points to the alcohol-related problems that U.S. employers face, it also points to perhaps an even more alarming statistic: if 67% of the substance abuse complaints that U.S. employers get are alcohol abuse related, then this means that the other 33% of the complaints involve substances other than alcohol. This is an alarming statistic that needs to be addressed by alcohol prevention and education programs aimed at U.S. students and employees."

"Binge alcohol use" is defined as drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting on at least one day in the past 30 days. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in their 2002-2003 "National Surveys on Drug Use and Health," North Dakota had the highest rate (31.4%) in the nation for binge alcohol use by persons who were 12 years old or older while Utah had the lowest rate (15.9%)."

"It is estimated that over 3 million teens between the ages of 14 and 17 in the United States today are alcoholics."

"Some of the behavioral and physiological factors that converge to increase or decrease a person's risk for alcohol problems, including tolerance to alcohol's effects, may be directly linked to genetics."

"Fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known cause of mental retardation in the United States."

"Physical addiction takes place when an individual's body becomes dependent on a particular substance such as alcohol or drugs. It also means that an individual develops a tolerance to that particular substance, meaning that the user requires a larger dose than before to get the same 'fix,' 'high,' or the same 'buzz.'"