Alcohol Abuse: What Is It and How to Recognize It
Alcohol has been consumed for thousands of years by almost all civilizations. Americans have been drinking alcohol since the country was founded and in moderation, it can be a relaxing beverage. Many people come home from a hard day of work and unbind with a drink. How do you know, though, when that relaxing drink has taken over your life? How do you know when you become depend on it? Alcohol abuse in America is becoming a serious problem. Many people used to believe that alcohol abuse was a characteristic of a weak person, but now it is known that it is really a serious disease that has a chance of affecting us all.
Statistics on Alcohol Abuse
A surprising statistic is that 1 in 13 adults is affected by alcohol abuse. The online health guide, WebMD reported that in the United States alone, 12 to 14 millions adults abuse the substance and each year, around 100,000 adults will die from alcohol abuse. It has also been proven that alcohol abuse is a large factor in most of the country’s car accidents, suicides and homicides. It also affects many other things in daily life, including increased rates of job absenteeism, and increases reports of domestic violence and child abuse.
What are the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?
Occasional drinks at home or with friends does not mean that you have a problem with drinking. In women, a key indication that there is alcohol abuse is if you consume more than seven drinks a week and more than three in a social situation. In men, the rate of consumption would have to equal more than 14 drinks per week or access of four drinks while with friends. Recognizing the signs in the elderly and in teenagers is often more difficult. Other signs include alcohol cravings, a loss of control when drinking, which leads to the person unable to stop drinking. Tolerances built up to alcohol can be another sign of alcohol abuse, as well as physical dependence on it, such as nausea, sweating and headaches if no alcohol is consumed. Scientists are discovering that many factors are involved with drinking, such as family history of drinking, family genetics toward drinking, stress levels, and social and environmental factors.
Alcohol abuse is a very serious disease that is escalating in America. This is a treatable disease, but not curable and it can affect anyone. Many factors make people more susceptible to it than others. Many people drink and enjoy themselves, but in moderation. Please listen to Budweiser and “drink responsibly” and alcohol abuse can be avoided.
