Devastating and Unhealthy Alcohol Abuse Consequences: A Need For More Alcohol Awareness
When examining alcohol from an historical perspective, it can be determined that people have known about alcohol and alcohol information and have been drinking alcoholic drinks and beverages for at least 10,000 years.
Why, then, do so many people worldwide experience the damaging, unhealthy, and debilitating consequences of alcohol abuse and alcoholism?
Excessive Drinking and Abuse: An Historical Perspective
Even though alcohol has been used in a number of different ways throughout history that can be called beneficial or "positive," it is interesting to point out that thousands of years ago it was known that excessive drinking and abuse also led to personal and social problems. For instance, Plato and Aristotle, two of the more famous ancient Greek philosophers, were openly critical of drunkenness.
Additionally, a Chinese manuscript written approximately 650 B.C. was recently found which stated how hard it was for people to do without beer and actually included warnings about the "abuse" of beer.
Millions of People Worldwide Have Drinking Problems
Since people have known about the positive as well as the damaging consequences of alcohol for hundreds and thousands of years, why is it that millions upon millions of people worldwide experience so many drinking problems? Stated differently, in our more "aware" and "enlightened" world, why do so many individuals suffer from the unhealthy, destructive, and in some instances, the fatal results of excessive drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism?
Are the More Advanced Countries More Vulnerable to Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism?
Alcoholism has become a significant problem in industrialized countries throughout the world. Ironically, the more "developed" and technologically advanced a country becomes, the more it seems vulnerable to the societal and personal problems and difficulties that are directly or indirectly caused by alcoholism.
The Cost of Problems Related to Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
In basic economic terms, alcohol-related problems in the United States cost society almost $200 billion per year. In human terms, regrettably, the cost of the following alcohol-related issues and problems cannot be calculated: failed health, broken homes, child abuse, wife battering, injuries, destroyed lives, illnesses, and fatalities.
Some Alcohol Statistics and Facts
Many of the dangers of alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction do not fully make an impact on people's awareness until some relevant statistics are explicitly stated. It is with this in mind that the following is included.
More specifically, according to a study initiated by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University in 2005, the following statistics about alcoholism and alcohol abuse were revealed:
- In the United States during 2004, 16,694 deaths occurred as a result of alcohol-related motor-vehicle crashes. This amount was approximately 39% of all traffic fatalities. This amounts to one alcohol-related death every 31 minutes.
- The 9.6% of adult alcoholics drink 25% of the alcohol that is consumed by all adult drinkers.
- Every year in the U.S. more than 150,000 college students develop health problem that are alcohol-related.
- Alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse cost the United States an estimated $220 billion in 2005. This dollar amount was more than the cost associated with cancer ($196 billion) and obesity ($133 billion).
- American youth who drinking before the of age 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholics than young people who do not drink before the age of 21.
- Every year, 1,400 American college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related inadvertent injuries, including motor vehicle accidents.
- The 25.9% of underage drinkers who are alcohol abusers and alcohol dependent drink 47.3% of the alcohol that is consumed by all underage drinkers.
- Every day in the U.S. more than 13,000 children and teens take their first drink.
Alcohol Awareness: Conclusion
Unfortunately, alcohol abuse and alcoholism have become critical problems in the United States AND in other parts of the world. In short, the people of the world apparently need additional alcohol information and "alcohol awareness" if they are to become more knowledgeable about and avoid the unhealthy, deleterious, and at times, the fatal consequences of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Quick Facts
Did you know...
"In the U.S. males are more likely to be dependent on illicit drugs and alcohol than females. The opposite is true of dependency on prescription medication.""Ninety-two percent of American adults are familiar with the designated driver concept, and 148 million have either been a designated driver or been driven home by one."
"If you are a drinker, it's a good idea to refrain from drinking alcohol during the workweek. If you can do this, you probably will not have to ask the following: how long does alcohol last in urine drug screenings?"
"The short and long term consequences that arise from underage alcohol consumption are astonishing in their range and magnitude, affecting adolescents, the people around them, and society as a whole."
"Researchers have discovered that alcoholism is caused by two interacting aspects: genetics and environmental factors such as peer pressure, one's family and friends, the relative ease of obtaining alcohol, a person's culture, and where and how a person lives."
"U.S. research shows that people older than 65 years and having more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks per occasion are drinking too much."
"A study of fifth and sixth-grade students found that those who demonstrated an awareness of beer ads also held more favorable beliefs about drinking and intended to drink more frequently when they grew up."
"According to one study, alcohol use is a factor in 40% to 60% of auto accidents resulting in personal injury or death among American college students."
"According to a report published by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, eighty-one percent of high school students have consumed alcohol, compared with 70 percent who have smoked cigarettes and 47 percent who have used marijuana."
"According to addiction research, the average individual with a drug addiction needs $200.00 per day to support their drug addiction. In order to raise the $200.00 they need for their addiction, the average individual with a drug addiction has to steal an average of $1,000.00 worth of property and goods."
"According to U.S. drunk driving statistics, in 2001, more than half a million people were injured in crashes where police reported that alcohol was present, an average of one person injured approximately every two minutes."
"Accepting the fact that help is needed for an alcohol problem may not be easy. But keep in mind that the sooner you get help, the better your chances for a successful recovery."
"Lost productivity from alcohol-related absenteeism, illness and premature exiting of the workplace, due to death and forced retirement, amounts to more than $70 billion each year in the United States."
"Without adequate attention to the mental health needs of individuals with alcohol dependence, little progress will be made."
"Teaching teenagers about the negative effects of alcohol abuse by telling them to 'Just Say No' is simply not enough. This phrase fails to acknowledge the stress and anxiety that many teens experience on a daily basis. 'Just say no' is too simplistic and as such, tunes teens out. Rather than telling teenagers to simply refrain from drinking alcohol, them about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse and the emotional, physical, and mental problems they can expect if they engage in abusive and excessive drinking."
"According to U.S. research, alcohol problems cluster in and destroy families. More than 50% of current drinkers have a family history of alcoholism."
"In the United States, beer is the drink most commonly consumed by people stopped for alcohol impaired driving or involved in alcohol-related crashes."
"According to research statistics, U.S. alcoholics spend four times the amount of time in a hospital as non-drinkers, mostly from drinking-related injuries."
"Your doctor needs to know you're going through alcohol withdrawal so he or she can make sure it doesn't lead to more serious health problems."
"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."
"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."
"Alcoholism and alcohol abuse cost the United States an estimated $220 billion in 2005. This dollar amount was more than the cost associated with cancer ($196 billion) or with obesity ($133 billion)."
"Drug testing is a way to evaluate the type and possibly the amount of legal or illegal drugs taken by a person. Drug testing can be performed from small samples taken of your fingernails, saliva, or more commonly, your blood, urine, or hair."
"Even intelligence is no ally regarding alcoholics and sobriety, for the over-agitated brain will use all its powers of rationalization to persuade the patient to return to drinking."
"In addition to their own inherited risk for later alcoholism, one U.S. study found that 41% of children of alcoholics have serious coping problems that may be chronic or long-term."
"Research reveals that one third of all American alcoholic deaths are from suicides or accidents such as drownings, head injuries from falling, or car crashes."
"In the United States during 2004, 16,694 deaths occurred as a result of alcohol-related motor-vehicle accidents."
"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."
"While enrolled in U.S. in-patient alcoholism rehab, patients attend classes, hear lectures, and participate in individual, group, and family counseling sessions."
"According to various U.S. research studies, treatment of the alcoholic can be divided into 3 stages. Initially, the individual has to be medically stabilized. Next, he or she must undergo a detoxification process, followed by long-term abstinence and rehabilitation."
"In case you haven't noticed, the penalties for drinking and driving have gotten a lot tougher thanks to groups like MADD. Even for first offenders, the costs of a drunk driving conviction can add up quickly."
"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, previous studies have found that alcohol use reaches its peak level during and immediately after high school graduation and remains high through the age of 25."
"An estimated 6.6 million American children under 18 live in households with at least one alcoholic parent."
"Some U.S. researchers claim that developing cost-effective alcoholism intervention and treatment for mandated populations could mean a decrease in alcohol-related problems nationwide."
"All treatment approaches to alcoholism recovery depend on the desire of the person to get and remain sober. Effective treatment programs enhance this motivation with intervention, support, education, and therapy."
"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."
"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research emphasizes the fact that alcohol poisoning doesn't necessarily occur from any one excessive and abusive drinking situation. That is, an alcohol overdose can also happen from a regular and repetitive infusion of alcohol in the blood stream."
"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."
"A new resource kit is designed to help pregnant Native American women avoid the harm of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Resource Kit is aimed at mothers-to-be, their friends, relatives, health professionals and community leaders."
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Some Quality Resources about Alcohol and Drug-Related Topics
- About Alcohol Info
- An educational and informational resource about alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction and the emotional, social, health, and behavioral problems that result from these conditions.
- About Alcohol
- Although alcohol has been used in a variety of ways throughout history that can be called "positive," it was, however, realized thousands of years ago that excessive drinking and abuse can result in personal and social problems.
- Facts About Alcohol
- One of the key facts about alcohol is that people have known about alcohol and have been drinking alcoholic beverages for the better part of 10,000 years.
- Alcoholism Information
- The people of the world need more relevant and accurate "alcoholism awareness" if they are to avoid the unhealthy, damaging, and fatal effects of alcoholism.
- Alcohol Abuse Basics
- Alcohol Abuse Basics. Learn more about alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse statistics, and the causes of alcohol abuse.
- Alcoholics Info
- Alcoholics Info. Learn what an alcoholic is, about characteristics of an alcoholic, alcoholics help, alcoholic behavior, and characteristics of alcoholics.
- Drug Addiction Information
- Drug Addiction Information. Drug addiction is a debilitating disease that includes the following symptoms: craving, physical dependence, tolerance, and the loss of control.
A Key Point...
Abusive drinking is widespread on university and college campuses. Consequently, there is a great need in our country for more education that is based on raising the alcohol awareness of all students in elementary, junior high, high school, and in colleges and universities.
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