"Do you fail to inform your doctor that you are a regular drinker? Do you drink and drive, mix alcohol with over-the-counter or prescription medicine, or operate machinery" Do you drink alcohol while you are in charge of the lives of small children? Are you pregnant or are trying to become pregnant and drink? If you answered in the affirmative to any of these questions, you are taking risks with alcohol and you may be a problem drinker."

"Research studies demonstrate that due to the fact that small amounts of alcohol from the mother can get into breast milk and passed on to the baby, and since excessive amounts of alcohol may impede the flow of milk from the breast, the March of Dimes strongly urges women to refrain from drinking alcohol while they are nursing."

"According to research, if you have tried to quit drinking - swore to yourself that you would never drink again - and found yourself a few days or a week later drinking again, you probably have a drinking problem. If you have tried to quit and cannot do so, you are no longer in control; alcohol is in control of your life."

"The following represents mild to moderate psychological withdrawal symptoms that usually occur within 6 to 48 hours after the last alcoholic drink: fatigue, difficulty thinking clearly, rapid emotional changes, feeling nervous or jumpy, nightmares, anxiety, irritability, or depression."

"It is common for alcohol dependence to remain undetected for years. Both the availability of alcohol and the way it is used (the social patterns) appear to be major factors in influencing the likelihood of a person becoming alcohol dependent."

"Previous studies have shown that alcoholic women perform just as poorly as alcoholic men on thinking and memory tests, even though the women hadn't been drinking as long as the men had."

"Exposure to stress is one of the most powerful triggers of substance abuse in vulnerable individuals and of relapse in former addicts."

"Three out of ten U.S. adults report that drinking has been a cause of trouble in their family."

"According to the demographics about alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse, when you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, ALWAYS see your healthcare provider or your doctor immediately so that he or she can evaluate the severity of your situation and recommend the best option for treatment."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, it is important to know why high school seniors drink so parents, teachers and high school counselors can pay special attention to the needs of the small but high-risk group of seniors who offer multiple reasons for drinking and who also have anger or frustration issues."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, it is important to know why high school seniors drink so parents, teachers and high school counselors can pay special attention to the needs of the small but high-risk group of seniors who offer multiple reasons for drinking and who also have anger or frustration issues."

"According to alcohol abuse research, television advertising changes attitudes about drinking. Young people report more positive feelings about drinking and their own likelihood to drink after viewing alcohol ads."

"Alcohol abuse research reveals that the three leading causes of death for 15- to 24-year-olds are automobile crashes, homicides and suicides -- alcohol is a leading factor in all three."

"Alcoholism is a profound problem, and the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., after smoking and obesity. Being aware of your risks may prevent you from becoming one of those statistics."

"In a study called Project CHOICES, University of Virginia Health System researchers found that a few nonjudgemental, nonconfrontational counseling sessions had a significant impact on women at high risk for binge drinking, unplanned pregnancy, and exposure to alcohol during pregnancy."

"Excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure in individuals with no history of heart disease."

"As discovered by U.S. researchers, screening for problem drinking and alcoholism needs to become an integral part of the routine health screening questionnaire for adolescents and all adults, particularly women of child-bearing age, because of the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome."

"Substance abuse research demonstrates that people who are entering substance abuse treatment, as well as their families and friends, may benefit by becoming aware of those 'Risk Factors of Dropping Out' associated with dropping out and plan accordingly."

A definition of alcoholism: Alcoholism is a degenerative disease that includes the following symptoms: craving, tolerance, physical dependence, and loss of control.

"According to substance abuse research, of the 20 or so million people in 2006 who needed specialized alcohol or drug abuse treatment and did not receive it, only 940,000 reported that they felt they needed treatment. Stated differently, the vast majority of problem drinkers each year who need medical help do not think that they need professional treatment."

"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."

"Based on SAMHSA's 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among youths aged 16 or 17, 10% had run away from home in the past 12 months and among youths aged 12 or 13, 6% had run away from home in the past 12 months. Youths who had run away from home in the past 12 months were more likely to have used marijuana, alcohol, or an illicit drug other than marijuana in the past year compared to youths who had not run away."

"By the time they enter preschool, most children have seen adults smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol either in real life or in the media, or both. Children today are exposed to illegal drugs and drinking alcohol as early as elementary school, so it's never too early to talk with your child about the negative consequences of drug abuse and alcohol abuse."

"Research shows that even moderate amounts of alcohol can have damaging effects on the developing fetus, including low birth weight and an increased risk for miscarriage."

"Long-term alcohol use may physically affect the brain. Studies have reported less blood flow in the front lobes of the brain, which may reflect links to deeper levels."

"As demonstrated by alcoholism statistics, approximately 14 million people in the United States are addicted to alcohol or engage in alcohol abuse."

"Research shows that as people age, it takes fewer drinks to become intoxicated, and organs can be damaged by smaller amounts of alcohol than in younger people. Also, up to one-half of the 100 most prescribed drugs for older people react adversely with alcohol."

"Alcoholism research shows that identifying and preventing alcohol abuse problems in youth necessitates different assessment, treatment, and screening methodologies than those that are employed for adults."

"In the United States, 95% of alcoholics die from their disease and die approximately 15 years earlier than their normal life expectancy."

If you would like to listen to a professionally done, free "talking eBook" about alcohol entitled The Truth About Alcohol, please click on this link.