Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

"According to drug and alcohol abuse research, to make a successful recovery, the dependent person needs new tools in order to deal with problematic situations and circumstances that will arise. Factors such as seeing a friend from the days when the addict was using, returning to the same home town or addictive environment, things such as songs, objects, or smells may trigger memories that can push a hot button or trigger psychological stress. All of these factors can not only get in the way of recovery for the dependent person, but they can short-circuit sobriety and lead to relapse."

"One U.S. study found that binge drinkers had a risk for a cardiac emergency that was two and a half times that of nondrinkers."

"According to alcohol abuse and alcoholism research, alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a group of symptoms manifested by people who suddenly quit drinking alcohol after a pattern of continuous and excessive consumption. These symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe and include both physical and psychological components."

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

"Drinking milk before drinking may help prevent a hangover to a limited extent, but the only 'cure' for a hangover is either drinking responsibly and in moderation or abstaining from drinking altogether."

"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."

"According to the alcohol abuse and alcoholism research literature, in the U.S., more than 40% of those who start drinking at age 14 or younger become alcohol dependent."

"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."

"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, children of alcoholics tend to do worse academically than others, have a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, and stress and lower self-esteem than their peers."

"The main symptom of alcohol abuse occurs when someone continues to drink after their drinking reaches a level that causes recurrent problems."

"According to the Silver Gate Group, underage drinkers, on average, drink more heavily than adult beer drinkers and down about 10 percent of all the beer sold in the United States."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, kids who drink to help them deal with anger or frustration issues are not likely to benefit from a prevention program developed for kids who are just experimenting with alcohol."

"A recent national United States survey of female college students found that 15% of them had been raped at some time since the age of 14. In 53% of these cases, the victim was drinking and in 64% of these cases, the offender was drinking."

"The alcohol abuse and alcoholism research literature has demonstrated that American young people are over-represented in driving accidents involving alcohol. For instance, in a recent year, people from the age of 16 to 24 were involved in 28% of all alcohol-related driving accidents, even though they make up only 14% of the U.S. population. Young people are also over-represented in drinking driver injuries and deaths."

"The media and popular culture are filled with messages and images that legitimize or even glamorize frequent or excessive drinking. Also, associating with people who are able to drink socially, and encourage the same behavior in those around them, is dangerous to the alcoholic trying to abstain from drinking."

"Many chronic conditions such as diabetes, depression, hypertension, and asthma require continual care in order for treatment benefits to be sustained. Alcoholism is similar to other chronic diseases in this regard. Additionally, alcohol addiction requires monitoring of patient status on a regular basis, early intervention regarding possible problems, and proper referrals in order to maintain positive treatment effects."

"Substance abuse research shows that denial is so common in people with alcohol abuse problems that denial itself is a warning sign of alcoholism. The alcoholic simply does not see, or refuses to admit, that alcohol use is the source of his or her problems."

"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."

"Next to smoking, excessive drinking is the most common preventable cause of death in the United States."

"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."

"Illegal drugs are not the only substances that can be abused. Indeed, alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter medications, inhalants and solvents, and even coffee and cigarettes, can all be used to harmful excess. Theoretically, almost any substance can be abused."

"According to alcoholism demographics, the three leading causes of death for individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 are suicides, homicides, and vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, the presence of alcohol is a leading determinant in all three of these causes of death. These findings emphasize the need in our country for more relevant educational, preventative, treatment, and intervention efforts that target all individuals, especially teenagers."

"According to a report published by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, eighty-seven percent of adults who drink alcoholic beverages had their first drink before the age of twenty-one."

"A problem drinker can receive ongoing alcohol abuse support through aftercare programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. A person would be wise to discuss his or her need for a particular type of ongoing treatment or support program with his or her physician or healthcare provider."

"According to substance abuse research statistics, in 1997, U.S. illicit drug users were more likely than others to have missed 2 or more days of work in the past month and to have worked for three or more employers in the past year."

"The family and friends should express their affection for the alcoholic and their intentions for supporting the patient through recovery, but they must strongly and consistently demand that the patient seek treatment. Children may even be involved in this process, depending on their level of maturity and ability to handle the situation."

"U.S. research shows that many people do not go to a doctor specifically for alcohol problems but seek treatment for physical conditions (such as cirrhosis) that result from long-term alcohol use. Your doctor might ask you questions about your drinking to help see whether alcohol abuse is the cause of a condition like cirrhosis."

"The earlier a person begins drinking heavily, the greater their chance of developing serious illnesses later on. Once one becomes dependent on alcohol, it is very difficult to quit. In one U.S. study, after five years, two-thirds of people with alcoholism were still dependent."