Alcoholism Warning Signs

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research demonstrates the fact that if you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Answering these questions will take only a few minutes, and will generate personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns."

"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."

"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."

"Alcohol use interacts with conditions such as depression and stress to contribute to suicide, the third leading cause of death among people between the ages of 14 and 25. In one study, 37 percent of eighth grade females who drank heavily reported attempting suicide, compared with 11 percent who did not drink."

"Alcoholism research has revealed that some alcoholics have found that using stress reduction methods during the alcohol recovery process has been beneficial. While there is little research that has shown that using stress reduction methods and approaches can increase an alcoholic's long-term probability of staying sober, if such techniques improve a person's self-respect and sense of personal well-being, then these techniques are to be encouraged."

"Those who drink excessively may begin to show early signs of a problem, then progress to showing symptoms of alcohol abuse. If the person continues to drink in an abusive manner, moreover, he or she may later show symptoms of alcohol dependence."

"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."

"Quitting drinking is usually the only way to stop the problems alcohol is causing in your life. It may not be easy to quit. But your efforts will be rewarded by better health, better relationships and a sense of accomplishment. As you think about quitting, you may want to make a list of your reasons to quit."

"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."

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

"One of the more serious consequences of the increase in drinking among elementary school children is the that it has a substantial effect on cognitive development at this young age. In a word, students who use alcohol remember significantly less of their academic work than those who do not use alcohol."

"Alcoholism and medical research have discovered that drinking alcohol can be hazardous in smaller amounts if it is consumed along with the following drugs: street drugs such as heroin and opium; sedatives such as tranquilizers and barbiturates; anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital; and narcotic pain medications such as Codeine, Codeine derivatives, and Darvocet.

"The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has established procedures for mandatory alcohol testing that require the employment of a standardized breathalyzer. The categories of testing that are allowed by the DOT are the following: random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident."

"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."

"The substance abuse research literature shows that most of America's youth perceive their parents as the main role models regarding their drinking behavior. This finding without question places a relatively great amount of responsibility on parents in the manner in which they conduct themselves concerning their drinking behavior."

"Substance abuse research demonstrates the fact that a man who has more than four drinks per occasion or more than 14 drinks per week is drinking too much. Simply stated: this man is abusing alcohol."

"According to the alcoholism research literature, alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a group of symptoms exhibited by people who suddenly stop drinking alcohol after a pattern of repeated and excessive ingestion. These symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe and include both physical and emotional components."

"Since nothing can change what took place in the past, it is hoped that all of the state and federal prisoners who abused drugs and/or alcohol in the past have access to alcoholism and alcohol abuse programs as well as to substance abuse and addiction treatment while they are still in prison."

"If you choose to drink alcohol, doing so responsibly can help you avoid future hangovers."

"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."

"Alcohol abuse and alcoholism research demonstrates the fact that if you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Answering these questions will take only a few minutes, and will generate personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns."

"U.S. research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other children of becoming alcoholics."

"Research demonstrates that 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. According to a 1999 study, having a high or low IQ has little effect on quitting."

"According to the substance abuse research, 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. By young adulthood, early alcohol use was associated with employment problems, other substance abuse, and criminal and other violent behavior."

"Alcoholism statistics demonstrate that you might think you can quit drinking at any time. Many people who have alcohol problems do quit for periods of days, weeks, or even months before they start drinking again. But unless you can consistently keep your drinking under control and not fall back into unhealthy patterns, you need professional help."

"In the United States in 2001, 32 percent of all fatal crashes during the week were alcohol-related, compared to 54 percent on weekends."

"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."

"According to a 1999 report by The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,374 youth from the ages of 15 to 20 were killed in auto accidents. Alcohol use was documented in 2,238 (35%) of these deaths."

"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."

"Many of today's young people in the U.S. seemingly do not see the negative consequences of alcohol abuse or the destruction caused by gambling addiction. The youth of today know what they see and from their perspective, drinking and gambling look like fun. The big question, then, is this: how do we motivate today's youth to see and comprehend the unhealthy and the devastating outcomes that are intimately related to abusive drinking and addictive gambling?"

"Alcohol use interacts with conditions such as depression and stress to contribute to suicide, the third leading cause of death among people between the ages of 14 and 25. In one study, 37 percent of eighth grade females who drank heavily reported attempting suicide, compared with 11 percent who did not drink."

"Whether a baby's alcohol or drug-caused health problems will continue as the child grows older is not always known. Medical research does show, however, that children born to mothers who used marijuana and or alcohol regularly during pregnancy may have trouble concentrating, when they get older."