Alcohol Addiction

Unlike a social drinker who enjoys a class of wine to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, a person suffering from alcohol addiction lets drinking consume his/her daily life. Instead of focusing on being a good spouse, parent, or employee, the alcoholic lives in pursuit of his/her next drink.

If you read the latest alcoholism statistics, you’ll see the dangers associated with alcohol addiction. In the United States, more than 8 million people have a serious drinking problem. Alcohol contributes to more than 100,000 deaths each year; it’s frequently a factor in suicides and auto accidents.

Even if it doesn’t cause death, alcohol addiction can still have devastating lifelong consequences. Teen drinking leads to poor academic performance, risky sexual activity, and aggressive behaviors towards friends and family. Pregnant women who drink risk giving birth to children severely disabled by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alcohol poisoning can overwhelm the liver and cause permanent physical damage. Alcoholism is also a major factor in many cases of divorce or personal bankruptcy.

How do you recognize the signs of alcoholism? Obviously, regular binge drinking signals trouble. A drinker who endangers the lives of everyone around him by drinking and driving may also need help. Other signs of a drinking problem include drinking alone, experiencing blackouts, getting violent while drinking, or lying to others about the degree of your alcohol consumption.

If you suffer from alcohol addiction, help is available. With proper treatment, you can learn to enjoy the benefits of a clean and sober lifestyle. For additional information on treatment options, please review our LoveToKnow articles on Alcoholism Recovery.