Alcohol addiction is a cruel, life-threatening affliction that holds about twenty million American citizens in its clutches. Because of widespread addiction to alcohol, over eighty-thousand Americans die every year while others suffer a wide variety of negative effects of alcohol. The nation spends over two-hundred billion dollars trying to patch up the mess. As a result, countless lives and families are adversely affected by alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol addiction is a tough condition to deal with because it creeps up on people when they least expect it. After all, it tends to progress slower than many types of drug addictions. Plus, many people are in denial that they actually have a problem. While many people can let loose with a drink or two at the end of a long day, others simply can’t control how much or how often they drink.
Excessive drinking has a negative impact on over a hundred million people as it increases the risk of liver disease and other long-term alcohol-related illnesses. Unfortunately, addiction affects not only the addict but their loved ones, as well. This leaves millions of family members and friends hurt, worried, and concerned about their loved one’s drinking habits.
Why Do People Develop Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction is difficult to overcome because it is legal for people over 21 and easy to obtain. Unlike hard street drugs that are discouraged by the general population, drinking is encouraged in many social settings. Many people think of drinking as a necessary part of regular, American life. All of this and more contribute to the spiraling alcohol epidemic in our country.
When someone becomes addicted to alcohol, drinking ultimately becomes the most important thing in his or her life. It becomes the driving factor behind everything they do, everything that they are, and everything that they want to be and pursue. Alcohol becomes the main priority and it tends to stay the main priority until people seek the help that they need. Unfortunately, people who suffer from alcoholism can’t just stop drinking. Instead, they need professional help to treat an addiction to alcohol.
Alcohol is an immensely physically and mentally addictive substance. Additionally, the substance is widely accepted as a normal pastime, so many people continue to drink despite negative consequences and side effects. Therefore, alcohol use disorder is an extremely difficult condition to beat due to its social acceptance and normality.
The Facts and Statistics on Alcohol Use Disorder
That’s why facts like this one from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, (NIAAA) are so often swept under the rug:
This article’s intention is not to defame or incriminate alcohol companies. Instead, the intention behind this article is merely to raise awareness on these issues and help people decide whether or not they need to stop drinking.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- The Trust for American Health (TAH)
- The recorded rates of alcohol use disorder are increasing (18.1 million people in 2002 to 23.7 million in 2011). As a result, it is still a cause for concern in the nation. Binge drinking is more common in men than it is for women. In fact, 9.1% of men 12 and older have reported heavy drinking 5 or more days in a month. 2.6% of women reported this conversely.
- Well over 95% of those who need treatment for alcoholism do not feel they need treatment. This is why so many people end up requiring intervention for their addiction crisis.
- More people receive treatment for alcohol than any other substance. In fact, drug addiction is a huge issue in the nation. However, alcoholism is an even worse problem that creates a terrible effect on those who struggle with these issues.
- Overdoses caused by painkillers are more common than heroin and cocaine overdoses combined. In fact, overdoses from opiate painkillers are more common than overdoses on all other substances except for alcohol overdoses. Over half of the people abusing prescription drugs got them from a friend or relative. Over 17% of people who abuse this medication have a prescription from a doctor.
Find The Help You Need To Beat Alcohol Addiction Today
Alcohol abuse and addiction are terrible conditions. However, it is not the end of the line for anyone if they choose for it not to be. Addiction to alcohol does take lives and ruin lives, but it is treatable with the help of an alcohol treatment program and aftercare support groups. Alcohol and drug rehab programs help anyone and everyone who is suffering from alcohol addiction. If you’re having trouble putting the bottle down, know that you’re not alone. Seeking professional help in an inpatient alcohol rehab near you will provide you with the tools needed to get sober and stay sober.
The first step is to check into a medical detox or rehabilitation facility. Due to dangerous and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens, alcohol detox is dangerous and risky to attempt on your own. Instead, inpatient rehab programs negate this danger by using professional, safe, comfortable, stress-free detox. After detox, any alcohol addict will feel total freedom from chemical dependence. After completion, patients begin working on the mental and psychological sides of addiction.
The best method of addressing the psychological side of alcohol addiction is with the help of an inpatient rehab center. This type of facility provides a controlled environment, comforting surroundings, and a skilled, compassionate staff. These residential programs require patients to live at the facility so they are removed from any people, places, or things that may trigger them to drink. Moreover, they provide the most intensive and comprehensive therapies to help individuals uncover the underlying causes and conditions of their alcoholism. Consequently, people begin to change their behaviors, adapt to new coping mechanisms, and learn how to stay safe and healthy.
With the right counseling, therapy, coping strategies, relapse prevention, anyone who is addicted to alcohol is able to gain the skills to maintain sobriety.