Alcohol and Substance Abuse
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For many people, the facts about alcoholism are not clear. What is alcoholism, exactly? How does it differ from alcohol abuse? When should a person seek help for a problem related to his or her drinking?
Moderate alcohol use - up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people is not harmful. (A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle of beer, or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.) Nonetheless, a substantial number of people have serious trouble with their drinking.
Currently, nearly 14 million Americans—1 in every 13 adults—abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems. Over half 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 abuse 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). It can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and automobile crashes, recreational accidents and on-the-job accidents, and also increases the likelihood of homicide and suicide.
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call 1-800-LIFENET.
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