the problem of alcohol abuse and alcoholism is one of our huge health and social problems, ranking along with cancer, heart disease, and mental issues. but, emphasis on the treatment of alcoholism has been greatly neglected and does not reflect the seriousness of the problem.
in the united states of america, there are from 11 to 15 million persons addicted to alcohol. the big problem of alcoholism affects the individual, and ruins his life and others. it also affects his health, happiness, personal safety, life span, and their family relationships.
alcohol abuse takes its toll in many many forms. approximately half of the traffic deaths each year are caused by a driver or pedestrian who had been drinking. one-half of those in our jails have been booked on drinking-related charges. about one-third of the homicides are related 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.
contrary to what most people think, the main majority of alcoholics are not bums. only five percent of all serious problem drinkers would fall into this area. instead, the problem drinker lives among us. he is able to live and work, but not as effectively and successfully as he could if he were not suffering from alcoholism.
these alcoholics are your co-workers, the housewives in your neighborhood, your friends, or maybe even someone you love. in this country, 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 finds him in a daze or even a coma. excessive and abusive use of alcohol over a long period of time can result in malnutrition and damage to the body organs, especially the brain and liver. d.t.'s, or as they are sometimes called, the shakes, can occur as the result of damage to the nervous systems.
there is no "one cause" of drinking to much. folks seem to use booze to escape something, to relieve tension, or to help face their problems. alcohol is also used to cover up feelings of insecurity or guilt.
during the early stages, it's difficult to tell a social drinker from a problem drinker, there are some clues however. clues include promises to quit drinking, frequent drinking to relieve tension, 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. once in the final stages of alcoholism, loneliness, isolation, and distress set in. the problem drinker lives to drink, neglects his health, and suffers personality changes. they are tense, irritable and booze becomes the most important thing in their 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. - 15437
in the united states of america, there are from 11 to 15 million persons addicted to alcohol. the big problem of alcoholism affects the individual, and ruins his life and others. it also affects his health, happiness, personal safety, life span, and their family relationships.
alcohol abuse takes its toll in many many forms. approximately half of the traffic deaths each year are caused by a driver or pedestrian who had been drinking. one-half of those in our jails have been booked on drinking-related charges. about one-third of the homicides are related 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.
contrary to what most people think, the main majority of alcoholics are not bums. only five percent of all serious problem drinkers would fall into this area. instead, the problem drinker lives among us. he is able to live and work, but not as effectively and successfully as he could if he were not suffering from alcoholism.
these alcoholics are your co-workers, the housewives in your neighborhood, your friends, or maybe even someone you love. in this country, 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 finds him in a daze or even a coma. excessive and abusive use of alcohol over a long period of time can result in malnutrition and damage to the body organs, especially the brain and liver. d.t.'s, or as they are sometimes called, the shakes, can occur as the result of damage to the nervous systems.
there is no "one cause" of drinking to much. folks seem to use booze to escape something, to relieve tension, or to help face their problems. alcohol is also used to cover up feelings of insecurity or guilt.
during the early stages, it's difficult to tell a social drinker from a problem drinker, there are some clues however. clues include promises to quit drinking, frequent drinking to relieve tension, 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. once in the final stages of alcoholism, loneliness, isolation, and distress set in. the problem drinker lives to drink, neglects his health, and suffers personality changes. they are tense, irritable and booze becomes the most important thing in their 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. - 15437
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