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by: DavidBSmith
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Alcohol is a legal drug, but this doesn't mean it isn't the cause of widespread problems. Indeed, it is the most commonly misused drug in the Western hemisphere, and alcohol addiction is probably responsible for destroying more lives and relationships than all other types of drug-addiction added together!

For most persons who drink, alcohol is a pleasurable accompaniment to community events. Moderate alcohol use - up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and elder people - is not harmful at all for most adults. (A normal drink is one 12-ounce flask or can of either beer or wine spritzer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled alcoholic spirits.) Nonetheless, a large number of persons get into significant trouble because of their drinking.

Currently, almost 14 million Americans - 1 in every 13 adults - abuse liquor or are alcoholic! Several million more adults engage in unsafe drinking that could lead to liquor problems. These patterns involve binge drinking and excessive drinking on a consistent basis. Moreover, 53 percent of men and females in the United States admit that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking difficulty.

The results of alcohol over-indulgence are considerable - in many instances, life threatening. Heavy drinking can increase the risk for specific cancers, specifically those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx (voice box). Heavy drinking can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain injury, and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition, drinking escalates the risk of death from automobile crashes as well as leisure-time and on-the-job injuries. Furthermore, both homicides and suicides are more probable to be committed by persons who have been drinking. In purely economic terms, alcohol-related problems cost our community almost $185 billion per year. In human terms, the costs cannot be calculated.

Alcoholism, also identified as 'liquor addiction' is a disease that includes four symptoms:

* Craving: A potent need, or compulsion, to drink.

* Loss of control: The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occurrence.

* Physical dependency: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, trembling, and fear, occur when liquor use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.

* Tolerance: The need to drink ever greater amounts of alcohol in order to 'get high'.

Although some people are able to recover from an alcohol dependency without help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance. With care and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives and relationships.

Many persons wonder why some individuals can use alcohol without problems but others cannot. One necessary explanation has to do with genetics. Scientists have discovered that having an alcoholic family member renders it more likely that if you elect to drink you too may develop alcoholism.

Genes, however, are not the whole account. In fact, scientists now believe that specific factors in a person's background effect whether a person with a genetic risk for alcoholism ever develops the malady. A human being's risk for developing an alcohol dependency can increase based on the person's surroundings, including where and how he or she lives; loved ones, friends, and cultural values; peer pressures; and even how easy it is to get liquor.

Alcohol abuse is distinct from an alcohol dependency in that it does not include an extremely strong longing for liquor, loss of control over drinking, or physical dependence. Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that concludes in one or more of the succeeding situations within a 12-month period:

* Failure to perform critical work, college, or home responsibilities

* Drinking in situations that are entirely dangerous, such as while driving a car or using machinery

* Having recurring alcohol-connected legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the effect of liquor or for physically damaging someone while intoxicated.

* Continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or exacerbated by the drinking.

Although alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism, many results of alcohol abuse are also suffered by alcoholic persons.

Although alcoholism can be treated, a cure is not yet available. In other words, even if an alcoholic has been dry for a long time and has regained physical well-being, he or she remains predisposed to relapses and must continue to shun all alcoholic beverages. Cutting down on drinking just doesn't seem to work, but cutting out liquor completely seems to be necessary for a effective recovery. However, even individuals who are determined to stay temperate may suffer one or several or relapses, before achieving long-term sobriety.

Relapses are very common and do not mean that a individual has failed or cannot recover from an alcohol dependency. Keep in mind, too, that every day that a recovering alcoholic has stayed sober prior to a relapse is and enormously important time, both to the individual and to his or her loved ones. If a relapse happens, it is very important for the alcoholic simply to attempt sobriety once more and to get whatever added support they need to desist from drinking.

About the Author

For more information on Alcoholism visit us at http://www.addictiontodrugs.org/alcohol_addiction.php\n\nFor more information on Alcoholism visit us at http://www.addictiontodrugs.org/alcohol_addiction.php

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