Disability Resource Directory

A Widespread Problem

For most people who drink, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate alcohol use - up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people - is not harmful for most adults. (A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle or can of either beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.) Nonetheless, a large number of people get into serious trouble because of their drinking.

Currently, nearly 17.6 million adult Americans abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking that could lead to alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and heavy drinking on a regular basis. In addition, 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking problem.

The consequences of alcohol misuse are serious - in many cases, life threatening. Heavy drinking can increase the risk for certain cancers, especially those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx (voice box). Heavy drinking can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition, drinking increases the risk of death from automobile crashes as well as recreational and on-the-job injuries. Furthermore, both homicides and suicides are more likely to be committed by persons who have been drinking. In purely economic terms, alcohol-related problems cost society approximately $185 billion per year. In human terms, the costs cannot be calculated.

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence", 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".

People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why an alcoholic can't just "use a little willpower" to stop drinking. However, 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 rebuild their lives.

Many people wonder why some individuals can use alcohol without problems but others can't. One important reason has to do with genetics. Scientists have found that having an alcoholic family member makes it more likely that if you choose to drink you too may develop alcoholism. Genes, however, are not the whole story. In fact, scientists now believe that certain factors in a person's environment influence whether a person with a genetic risk for alcoholism ever develops the disease. A person’s risk for developing alcoholism can increase based on the person's environment, including where and how he or she lives; family, friends, and culture; peer pressure; and even how easy it is to get alcohol.

Alcoholism in the News

07/08/2008
Of Stress and Alcoholism, Of Mice and Men (Psychiatric Times)
Several columns ago (“Schizophrenia, DISC1, and Animal Models,” Psychiatric Times , April 2008, page 22), I earnestly cautioned against the temptation to apply behavioral data from laboratory animals directly to the human experience.

Of Stress and Alcoholism, Of Mice and Men (Psychiatric Times)

07/08/2008
'Wonder Woman' Star Admits Alcohol Battle (NBC 5 Chicago)
Lynda Carter, the star of the classic television series "Wonder Woman," reveals that she battled alcoholism 10 years ago, according to "The Insider."

'Wonder Woman' Star Admits Alcohol Battle (NBC 5 Chicago)

07/08/2008
Golf outing will benefit drug abuse prevention (News Transcript)
The Freehold Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will sponsor its ninth annual golf outing on July 21, at the Cream Ridge Golf Club, Cream Ridge. All proceeds will benefit the Freehold Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in its mission to make Freehold a healthier and safer place to live.

Golf outing will benefit drug abuse prevention (News Transcript)

07/08/2008
'Wonder Woman' Reveals Alcohol Battle (KCTV 5 Kansas City)
"Wonder Woman" television star Lynda Carter reveals that she sought treatment for alcoholism 10 years ago, "The Insider" reports.

'Wonder Woman' Reveals Alcohol Battle (KCTV 5 Kansas City)

07/08/2008
Of Stress and Alcoholism, Of Mice and Men (Psychiatric Times)
Several columns ago (“Schizophrenia, DISC1, and Animal Models,” Psychiatric Times , April 2008, page 22), I earnestly cautioned against the temptation to apply behavioral data from laboratory animals directly to the human experience.

Of Stress and Alcoholism, Of Mice and Men (Psychiatric Times)