Emotional Components of Alcoholism

"According to the substance abuse research literature, more and more scientific evidence substantiates the claim that the most effective and successful treatment methodologies for overcoming drug dependency and alcoholism embrace an assortment of approaches, such as doctor-prescribed medications, counseling, utilizing social service agencies and programs, and behavioral therapies. In a word, to effectively treat a complex medical condition such as alcoholism or drug dependency, a comprehensive set of "tools" need to be part of the therapist's 'toolbox.'"

"Over time, drinking too much alcohol can cause or make worse the following health problems: certain types of cancer, pancreatitis, liver disease, gallstones, high blood pressure, strokes, and heart disease. If you are a problem drinker, cutting back or abstaining from drinking can help you live a healthier, happier life."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, boys are more likely to belong to the higher-risk group of thrill seekers, while girls are more likely to belong to the lowest level of risky drinking, the experimenters."

"Alcoholism research has shown that how people view alcohol and its effects also influences their drinking behavior, including whether they begin to drink and how much. An adolescent who expects drinking to be a pleasurable experience is more likely to drink than one who does not."

"According to research, lower levels of educational attainment among patients in alcohol treatment before they entered treatment predicted a poorer outcome in the year following discharge from treatment."

"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."

"Once an individual has lost control of his or her drinking, it is difficult to go back to drinking moderate, more responsible amounts of alcohol."

"In a study of more than 450 American alcoholics and 80 heroin addicts, it was found that the absent father is a very typical occurrence. In fact, according to this study, it is the rule rather than the exception."

"Alcohol withdrawal symptoms rarely occur in people who only drink once in a while. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually occur in people who have been drinking heavily for weeks or months and then suddenly stop drinking."

"Alcohol abuse among adolescents has been correlated with considering, planning, attempting, and completing suicide. Research does not indicate whether drinking causes suicidal behavior, only that the two behaviors are associated."

"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."

"According to alcohol abuse and alcoholism statistics, roughly 9.7 million current drinkers in the United States are between the ages of 12-20. Regarding these young drinkers, 18.7% are binge drinkers and 6% are excessive drinkers."

"Drug and alcohol abuse statistics reveal that more than 67% of the funding for drug and alcohol treatment programs comes from public sources. Private insurance pays for about 14% of these services and the patients pay for about 10%."

"Some of the damage done to the liver and to other organs while drinking may resolve, while some may be permanent. Patients and their doctors will need to work together over the years to maintain sobriety and to address any complications that arise from alcohol damage."

"According to the research literature, in the U.S., alcohol is linked with an estimated 5,000 deaths in people under age 21 each year. This is more deaths than from all the illegal drugs combined."

"Research shows that drug testing is extremely reliable and accurate when all the relevant aspects of the testing process are done properly."

"According to alcohol abuse and alcoholism research, beer is the drink most commonly consumed by U.S. people stopped for alcohol-impaired driving or involved in alcohol-related crashes."

"Research demonstrates that hangovers are another outcome that occurs after large amounts of alcohol are consumed. The common hangover symptoms include nausea, thirst, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and vomiting."

"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 the 2004 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use & Health, alcoholism and alcohol abuse were more common among adults who were 18 years old or older who were never married as compared with adults the same age who were widowed, separated, or divorced. Does this mean that involvement in relationships reduces a person's risk for alcoholism or alcohol abuse?"

"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."

"According to CQ researcher, by the time U.S. teenagers reach driving age they will have seen 75,000 ads for alcohol."

"In a relatively recent alcohol abuse research study that was sponsored by the Harvard School of Public Health, it was discovered that binge drinkers are substantially more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents than non-binge drinkers."

"Alcohol use among adolescents has also been associated with considering, planning, attempting, and completing suicide. Research does not indicate whether drinking causes suicidal behavior, only that the two behaviors are correlated."

"An estimated 6.6 million American children under 18 live in households with at least one alcoholic parent."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, students who had multiple reasons to drink, including reasons related to coping, were also more likely to begin drinking at an earlier age, more likely to be drunk in the past year and more likely to drink before 4:00 pm, compared to students who drank to experiment with alcohol, to experience the thrill of drinking or just to relax."

"Research has demonstrated that American teenagers who drink alcohol are 50 times more likely to engage in cocaine use than teens who never drink alcohol. More than anything else, this statistic probably means the following: almost every person who uses cocaine at one time or another got their start in substance abuse by drinking. In short, it would be very rare indeed to find people who are 'receptive' to using cocaine who are not also 'receptive' to drinking alcohol."

"Alcohol is perhaps the most sinister of drugs, one that draws a thin, often imperceptible line between social use and addictive use. Alcohol dependent individuals rely on alcohol as an essential facet of their personality. That is, without their alcohol, they simply cannot 'be themselves.'"

"It is important for drinkers to understand that when they frequently and regularly engage in abusive drinking such as binge drinking, they increase the risk of becoming alcohol dependent. This fact is especially difficult for young people, many of whom feel that they are 'bullet-proof' and in total control of their drinking."

"Addicts have a tendency to engage in various activities or to use particular substances as substitutes for more appropriate and healthy coping mechanisms when dealing with stress, anxiety, and with their everyday lives."