the issue of alcohol abuse is one of our biggest health and social problems, ranking along with heart disease, mental illness, and cancer issues. yet, emphasis on the treatment of alcoholism has been greatly neglected and doesn’t reflect how serious the problem is.

in the usa, there are from 11 to 15 million people addicted to alcohol. the problem of alcoholism affects the individual, and ruins his life and others. it affects his health, happiness, personal safety, life span, and their family relationships.

booze can take its toll in many ways. approximately half of the traffic deaths each year are caused by a drunk driver or a pedestrian who had been drinking. at any time, one-half of those in our jails have been booked on drinking-related charges. one-third of the homicides in america are linked to alcohol abuse, and of all suicides reported, about one-fourth are alcohol-related.

in the word of business, billions of dollars are spent each year due to alcoholism. about one-half of america’s alcoholics are employed and lose about two or three times more workdays per year than the average worker does. also, these workers have about three times more of the off-job accidents than other employees do. they endanger the safety of those around them and affect the morale and efficiency of all the workers.

most people think the majority of alcoholics are skid row bums. only five percent of all problem drinkers would fall into this category. actually, the problem drinker lives among us. they are able to live and work, but not as effectively and successfully if they were not suffering from alcoholism.

alcoholics are your co-workers, your neighbors, your friends, or maybe even someone you love. in united states, there are more male alcoholics than female alcoholics.

the effects of alcohol happen in stages. during the first stage, it affects their self-control and judgement. in the second stage, their memory, speech, physical reflexes, and thinking are affected.

the third stage can cause a coma or put them in daze. excessive use of alcohol over a long period can result in malnutrition and damage to the body organs, especially the liver and brain. d.t.’s, or the shakes, can occur as the result of damage to the nervous systems.

there is no “one cause” of alcoholism. people seem to use alcohol to escape something, to relieve tension, or to help them face their problems. alcohol is also used to cover up feelings of insecurity or guilt.

in the early stages, it is hard to tell a social drinker from a problem drinker, but there are some clues. these may include things such as promises to quit drinking; frequent drinking to relieve tension; increased tolerance to alcohol; and, changes in personality.

once in the middle state, the drinker usually tries to hide his drinking, and a morning drink is more likely to occur. also, during this time, the signs of drinking are more noticeable especially at work. the drinker finds it tough to feel good, or “high”, regardless of how much they drink.

the person now drinks daily out of necessity. during the final stages of alcoholism, loneliness, isolation, guilt, and distress are experienced. the alcoholic lives to drink, neglects his health, and suffers personality changes. he is tense, irritable and liquor becomes the most important thing in his life.

their health will hit rock bottom, and physical weakness is brought on by their abuse of alcohol and the malnutrition that goes with it. the only real solution to alcoholism is for the alcoholic to totally quit drinking and never drink again!

alcohol abuse is considered a medical problem, and the american medical association urges all hospitals and clinics to accept alcoholic patients. also, seeking treatment to help the alcoholic get on their feet without the use of alcohol is recommended. restoring the health of the alcoholic is the first step. the second and most difficult step includes the revitalization and well being of the total person. this takes much longer.

we are dealing with a major problem–one that shows signs of steadily increasing. this disease of alcoholism is treatable and will yield to our efforts to control it. before it’s too late, we, as a nation, should work together in not only controlling alcoholism, but in preventing it as well.