"As children move from adolescence to young adulthood, they encounter dramatic physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes. Developmental transitions, such as puberty and increasing independence, have been associated with alcohol use. So in a sense, just being an adolescent may be a key risk factor not only for starting to drink but also for drinking dangerously."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, compared to the experimenters, boys who reported drinking before 4 p.m.were eight times more likely to belong to the highest-risk group that drank for multiple reasons; girls who drank before 4 p.m. were six times more likely to belong to the group that drank for multiple reasons."

"According to U.S. alcoholism research, the following represents some of the negative consequences of drinking alcohol and the fertility of the father: killing off the sperm-generating cells in the testicles and abnormal liver function and a rise in estrogen levels that, in turn, affect sperm development and hormone levels."

"In the U.S., the great majority of alcoholics go unrecognized by physicians and health care professionals. This is largely because of the alcoholic's ability to conceal the amount and frequency of drinking, denial of problems caused by or made worse by drinking, the gradual onset of the disease, and the body's ability to adapt to increasing alcohol amounts."

"In the United States, almost three times as many men (9.8 million) as women (3.9 million) abuse alcohol or are alcohol-dependent."

"U.S. studies show that some individuals with drinking problems may withhold information from their healthcare professionals because of shame or because of the fear of stigmatization."

"Does alcohol advertising work? According to a 1999 Federal Trade Commission report, alcohol companies placed their alcoholic products in in one or more episodes of 181 different television series and in 233 motion pictures in 1997-98. Interestingly, in the fifteen TV shows that were the most popular with teenagers, eight had alcohol product placements."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, school age kids with multiple reasons to drink, including reasons related to coping with life, show the heaviest and most problematic drinking behaviors."

"An increasing number of studies show that treatment is effective for adolescents with alcohol and drug-related problems, but there are unique challenges to assessing, diagnosing, and treating alcohol problems in young people."

"U.S. children who are drinking alcohol by 7th grade are more likely to report academic problems, substance use, and delinquent behavior in both middle school and high school."

"According to researcher Erica Austin, a professor at Washington State University, decisions about drinking are made over time, and young people are influenced by being exposed to ads since childhood."

"When a person becomes dependent on alcohol after prolonged or heavy use over time, this is defined as dependent alcohol use."

"The diagnosis of alcoholism is generally made by reviewing the person's behavior except when the person has symptoms of withdrawal or damage to organs as a result of alcohol consumption."

"Every addictive substance, including alcohol, elicits pleasant states or relieves anxiety and stress. Repeated use of the addictive substance induces adaptive changes in the brain that lead to physical dependence, uncontrollable craving, tolerance, and, all too frequently, relapse."

"Research shows that there is no known "cure" for alcoholism. It can be treated, but never "cured." Intervention will work only if the alcoholic becomes committed to never taking another drink."

"In the U.S., addicts tend to be risk takers and thrill seekers and expect to have a positive reaction to the abusive activity or drug before it is begun or used."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, most high school seniors drink because they want to experiment with alcohol, some drink for the thrill of it, and others drink because it helps them relax."

"Research shows that a 160-pound person drinking two beers within an hour would probably have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04, well below the legal limits of driving under the influence, but 1.4 times more likely to have an accident than someone who is sober."

"According to the alcoholism and alcohol abuse research literature on teens and alcohol abuse, more than two thirds of teenagers who start drinking before the age of 15 will also try an illegal drug."

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

"Treatment depends on whether you are physically dependent on alcohol. Most people with alcohol problems need to completely stop drinking. Treatment first focuses on relieving symptoms of withdrawal, and then the focus shifts to staying sober."

"The drug and alcohol abuse research literature reveals that addicts have a propensity to involve themselves in substance abuse rather than using more responsible and healthy coping mechanisms when experiencing anger, frustration, stress, or anxiety in their daily lives."

"There are many symptoms related to drinking problems. Alcoholism is considered a progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms and effects of drinking alcohol become increasingly more severe over time."

"In the fourth and final stage of alcohol addiction alcoholics get 'the shakes' whenever they try or are forced to abstain from drinking."

"The substance abuse research literature has demonstrated on numerous occasions that the societal and personal costs associated with alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are gigantic."

"It is important to note that alcohol overdose doesn't only occur from any one heavy drinking incident, but may also occur from a constant infusion of alcohol in the blood stream."

"If you are convicted of drunk driving, your auto insurance premiums can double, and in some states, even triple. You may want to shop around because some companies specialize in high-risk policies."