Alcohol

Forty-four percent of the adult U.S. population are current drinkers who have consumed at least 12 drinks in the preceding year. Although most people who drink do so safely, the minority who consume alcohol heavily produce an impact that ripples outward to encompass their families, friends, workplace and communities.

• Approximately 14 million Americans, 7.4% of the population, meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
• More than one-half of American adults have a close family member who has or has had alcoholism.
• Approximately one in four children younger than 18 years old in the U.S. is exposed to alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence in the family.

Alcoholism is a disease that includes four symptoms:

• Craving: A strong need, or compulsion to drink.
• Loss of control: the inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence: withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
• Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high”

Alcoholism has little to do with willpower. Alcoholics are in the grip of a powerful “craving” or uncontrollable need, for alcohol that overrides their ability to stop drinking. This need can be as strong as the need for food or water.

Although some people are able to recover from alcoholism without help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuilt lives.

Scientists have found that having an alcoholic family member makes it more likely that if you drink you may develop alcoholism. Certain other factors also influence if someone ever develops the disease. Those factors are environment, including where and how he or she lives, family, friends, and culture, peer pressure and accessibility of alcohol.