Alcoholism: Take Control While You Can

With so much attention on opioid and drug addiction, we tend to forget about a legal substance that often gets abused - alcohol. It is Alcohol Awareness Month and it is still one of the biggest addictions in our country. According to a study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse, there are approximately 20 million people in the United States over the age of 12 with alcohol addiction. Perhaps because it is legal and socially acceptable, it is easier for many people to drink excessively.

Moderate drinking is considered 1 drink daily for women and 2 drinks daily for men. If you believe your or someone you love could have an alcohol problem, help is available.

Addiction to alcohol usually takes the form of binge drinking or heavy drinking. However, just because you’re someone who may engage in binge drinking, or even drinking heavily, this does not mean you are alcohol dependent or suffering from alcoholism. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, only 1 out of 10 excessive drinkers are alcohol dependent. That being said, millions of Americans suffer from alcoholism. Alcohol dependency is described as a chronic disease characterized as an extreme preoccupation with drinking, or drinking uncontrollably. If you feel as though you can’t get through the day without a drink, you may have a problem. If you think you might have an alcohol use, take this short alcohol assessment quiz.

Alcoholism is a serious disease that not only impacts you and your life, your work and your health but also affects family, friends, and others who care about you. It’s well known that there can be repercussions to drinking while you’re pregnant and drinking while driving can be dangerous for everyone involved.

There’s no shame if you feel as though you or someone you love may be suffering from alcoholism. There are many different programs and services available to those who suffer from this disease. If you feel as though you or someone close to you may benefit from help, contact the Recovery Centers of America to learn more and find the best treatment plan for you.