Alcohol consumption is very prevalent in the United States, although it is actually the 23rd-ranked country in terms of beer consumption. The U.S. also has the strictest drinking laws and the highest minimum drinking age. Alcohol affects your brain, body, self-control, and can ultimately lead to death.

Although alcohol use is prevalent in American society, it is true that a much larger percentage of Americans are refraining from alcohol use. About 71 percent of those between the ages of 12 and 20 have not had a drink in one month. Evidence shows that the younger hard alcohol use begins, the greater the odds that long-term problems will result. More than 35 percent of adults with an alcohol problem demonstrated symptoms like binge drinking by age 19.

Alcohol consumption drastically lowers a person’s inhibitions and can make it seem more likely that they will be able to control a vehicle. However, research shows that traffic-related deaths involving alcohol reached a 15-year peak during the year 2006. At 17,941, alcohol-related traffic deaths comprised 43 percent of all traffic deaths. Unfortunately, sober people are often killed as innocent victims of another’s poor decision to drink and drive.

Excessive alcohol consumption has many negative physical effects. It can cause ulcers, impotence, cirrhosis of the liver, and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus, liver, colon and larynx. Alcohol abuse can also cause numbness in the extremities and severe inflammation and dysfunction in other organs of the body. Delirium tremens are a common side effect of excessive and prolonged alcohol abuse. Symptoms of delirium tremens include mental confusion, anxiety, trembling, rapid pulse, extreme excitement, agitation and even hallucinations.

Alcohol abuse facilitates weight gain and high blood pressure, which can cause cardiovascular problems or even diabetes. Alcohol can affect the body in another, quite different way, through malnutrition due to vitamin deficiency. Wernicke’s disease and Korsakoff’s syndrome, caused by a vitamin B1 deficiency, have also been linked to alcohol.

College parties often make heavy use of alcohol and alcohol poisoning is a grave danger at such parties. This is a condition that occurs when vomit caused by excessive alcohol consumption actually aspirates due to a drunk person passing out while lying flat on their back. Alcohol poisoning can cause brain damage or death.

About one in 13 U.S. adults fall into the category of alcohol abusers. The highest age demographic is 18 to 29 and the lowest is the elderly, those 65 and above. Alcohol abuse has been linked to a number of social problems, like divorce, healthcare costs, domestic violence, child and spouse abuse, and traffic accidents, to name a few.

If a person believes they have a problem with alcohol addiction or any other addiction, they should seek help from a drug rehab to attain the healthy life they desire and deserve. Upon making the decision to end alcohol abuse, between one-third and two-thirds of alcoholics are successful. However, relapses may occur and patience and determination can help a person continue the fight.

Social inhibitions are drastically lowered by alcohol consumption. The more a person consumes, the more socially unacceptable their behavior becomes. Such basic social graces as speaking politely, behaving with modesty, driving carefully and even being a reliable employee go out the window with alcohol consumption. Ultimately, alcohol abuse can cause the breakdown of the fiber of families and even entire lives.

Alcohol causes a person’s emotional state to become exaggerated. Emotions such as jealousy, anger, suspicion, despair, hostility, invincibility and lust can run high when a person is under the influence of alcohol. This can lead to a host of such regrettable actions as driving while intoxicated, meaningless sexual encounters, criminal behavior, ridiculous accusations, harsh words, physical fighting and even arrest. Alcohol also facilitates such problems as depression and self-loathing, which can lead to suicidal thoughts, self-mutilation, eating disorders or simply further alcohol abuse.

The British Medical Association estimates that, in England, 30 percent of divorces, 40 percent of domestic violence and 20 percent of child abuse are related to alcohol. Levels of teenage promiscuity is also greatly affected by alcohol, the BMA found. Alcohol consumption has caused one out of every seven British teens ages 16 to 24 to have unsafe sex, one out of five to have regrettable sex and one in 10 to forget entirely whether or not they had sex at all the night they were drinking. These numbers are similar, if not even greater, in the United States. It indicates that alcohol is linked to the breakup of families, spread of sexually-transmitted diseases and unexpected pregnancies.

Economically, alcoholism is a drain as well. Data shows that almost one-fourth of all patients in general hospitals are estimated to be alcoholic, with a per capita cost more than twice that of other general hospital patients.

Because alcohol lowers social inhibitions, its excessive use is linked to a wide variety of criminal acts. This could range from domestic violence and child abuse to simple bar fights. It can also play a part in rape, robbery, burglary and even murder. Alcohol is an enigma – a substance that is socially acceptable in most circles. It is thus one of the most dangerous drugs because it is among the easiest to which a person can become addicted.

Alcohol is the number one drug of choice among America’s youth, which is a hard time to become saddled with all the extra baggage alcohol abuse brings. It can create problems that reverberate throughout the rest of one’s life, whether or not treatment is sought. It is not uncommon for youth to start consuming alcohol in their own home, often from their parents’ own liquor cabinet. Sometimes parents even provide alcohol for their underaged children’s parties. Even if alcohol is not given a stamp of acceptability across the generations in one family, such might be the case in another family. This can reach the friends of the children of that particular family, and so the problem spreads. It is important to warn children of the dangerous social effects of alcohol early on to help them avoid the pitfalls.

The physical effects of alcohol are many and varied. It can take a little or a long time for the physical effects to become evident. This depends largely on such factors as a person’s body size, how accustomed they are to alcohol consumption, the strength and amount of the alcohol being consumed, and how much food is present in the stomach at the time to help absorb the alcohol.

Alcohol will cause a decrease in muscle coordination and speech abilities. This explains the incoherent speech and stumbling walk of those who have consumed too much alcohol. It also explains the fatigue often felt after consuming alcohol. The substance has a tiring effect on the body on its own, but it also makes even the smallest physical tasks more demanding and exhausting. Thus alcohol lends itself to helping a person fall asleep sooner, or “pass out.”

Because there is a lack of muscle coordination and also mental processing speed, the physical reaction time is slowed by alcohol consumption. This is one reason it is very dangerous to get behind the wheel of a car or heavy machinery after consuming alcohol. The body will typically become dehydrated after a person drinks alcohol, so it is a good idea to balance alcohol consumption with water intake. Alcohol also creates an exaggerated emotional state and can create an environment ripe for arguments, accusations, depression, self-loathing, jealousy and even physical confrontation.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 14 million people abuse alcohol in the United States each year, which equals about 1 in every 13 adults. Unfortunately, the problem of alcohol use often starts during youth, before adulthood is even reached. Alcohol remains the number one drug of choice among America’s youth despite the fact that 100,000 Americans die alcohol-related deaths each year.

Alcohol abuse can cause impotence, numbness in the extremities, shaking and tremors and even blindness. Delirium tremens can occur, with mental confusion, anxiety, trembling, rapid pulse, extreme excitement and agitation and even hallucinations. It can also cause cirrhosis of the liver, which can cause cancer, organ failure and ultimately death. Alcohol abuse can also cause severe inflammation and dysfunction in other organs of the body, which includes the symptom of ulcers.

Excessive alcohol consumption facilitates weight gain and high blood pressure, which can cause cardiovascular problems or even diabetes. It can also cause malnutrition due to a vitamin deficiency and even memory disorders, Wernicke’s disease and Korsakoff’s syndrome, caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1. In addition to liver cancer, alcoholism has been linked to a higher risk of cancer in the esophagus, larynx and colon.

Men are four time more likely than women to be heavy drinkers, and twice as likely to abuse alcohol or be alcoholics. Alcohol consumption may seem fun and socially acceptable during the present time, but those who succumb to alcohol addiction and never seek treatment could eventually pay the ultimate price.

Alcohol usage limits are different for everyone. Some people might be able to drink only half a beer before they begin to feel tipsy, dizzy, and their thought and speech becomes sloppy. Some people can consume alcohol socially without any temptation to become addicted and some cannot. For some, the consumption of alcohol in a social setting will carry over into a private setting, frequently and in excess, a possible indicator of alcoholism.

Consuming alcohol in a social setting – even enough alcohol to cause symptoms of drunkenness – is not necessarily an indicator of alcoholism. However, regular and habitual public or private drunkenness may indicate a more serious problem that has extended beyond mere social drinking. This could be evidenced by slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, unsteady walk and apparent extreme fatigue.

In a social setting, alcoholism may be evident in those who “drink to get drunk” or continue drinking long after everyone else at a party has stopped. Alcohol can provide a relaxing complement to social affairs. However, when a person becomes dependent upon alcohol to function normally on a daily basis, it is a warning sign. Again, the limit of alcohol per person depends on such factors as body size, gender, the amount of food in the stomach and how accustomed a person is to alcohol consumption.

No matter the occasion, certain people should never consume alcohol – even in a social setting. These include people who are under age 21, recovering alcoholics, women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, people who will be driving or operating machinery shortly thereafter, people taking certain medications and people with medical conditions that can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption. Physicians and medication labels can provide further insight into when alcohol consumption is not acceptable.

When it comes to social drinking, a person must be especially cautious of drinking and driving. This is one of the greatest risks of social drinking, because the social functions remove a person from the safety of their own home and potentially endanger innocent lives. If a partygoer is not careful and controlling with their alcohol consumption in and out of the social setting, it can turn into alcohol abuse. This includes disregard for basic precautions like designating a sober driver, calling a taxicab or drinking very lightly and avoiding any alcohol consumption two hours before driving.

Drinking alcohol for social purposes only generally includes at least two people and does not have a negative effect on a person’s health or their interactions with others. Alcohol abuse involves the overconsumption of alcohol quite frequently. The problem turns into alcoholism when a person cannot get through the day without a drink and is dependent upon alcohol simply to enable basic daily functioning. Not all people will be tempted to fall into alcoholism from social drinking, but some will. It depends largely on what other methods people have learned of coping with stress, and whether their peers place high value on drinking to excess.

There are many different types of addictions, and it is important to know up front the specific type of addiction requiring treatment. Sometimes several different addictions will manifest themselves at the same time. In this case, each individual addiction would need to be treated separately to enable the patient to reemerge into society a healthy, whole, functional and contributing member.

Some types of addictions involve legal substances like nicotine, caffeine or alcohol. Other types of addictions involve illegal substances like narcotics. Sometimes legal substances are obtained for illegal uses or obtained by illegal means. This could include cans of paint purchased or stolen for the purpose of huffing. It could be prescription pills obtained with the use of a forged prescription.

Whatever the case, these types of addictions mean the body has become dependent on a substance, possibly even to the point of bodily impairment without the substance. When the body is unable to function without a particular substance, it means the addiction has progressed quite far. It does not mean the addiction is beyond help, but it does indicate a serious problem that should be treated by a drug rehab as soon as possible. No addiction is ever beyond help, though some types of addictions may require more intensive treatment. Some types of addictions are less destructive to the body and can even be treated on an outpatient basis. It is important to secure the addiction treatment that is necessary for a person to regain control of their life.

Other types of addictions include emotional and mental addictions. These could include addictive relationships with toxic people or addictions to self-destructive behavior, which may or may not include harmful substances. This might include self-mutilation or reckless, daredevil behavior. Some addictions are fueled by family influences and others are brought on by peer pressure from friends and acquaintances. Some addictions, like prescription pills, began as legitimate use that spiraled out of control over time. Addictions to toxic relationships or self-destructive behavior are often tied to low self-image for whatever reason. It is important to seek a professional diagnosis of the problem so the appropriate treatment may be secured.

Just as there are different types of addictions, there are different types of addiction treatment. Some treatment takes a behavioral approach, using life skills classes, therapy and counseling to strengthen a person’s ability to make healthy choices in life. Other types of addiction treatment take a medical approach, viewing the addiction as more of a physical problem that requires medical supervision. Both types of addiction treatment involve therapy and counseling, both individual and group.

It is important to keep treatments for co-occurring addictions separate but equal. The treatments could work antagonistically with each other and possibly even exacerbate each other. The addictions themselves could even share the same symptoms. For instance, a symptom of depression could indicate a painkiller addiction or alcoholism, or both. Complete and successful addiction treatment depends on appropriate diagnosis of the type of addiction or addictions and proper treatment as needed.

There are several tools to help a person get the most out of their time in addiction recovery and treatment. One of these tools is research. When a person researches the treatment approach and facility that is best for them, they are increasing their chances of success. Another tool of success is the people one will meet in the process of addiction treatment and recovery. Patients should keep an open mind and heed the advice of their counselors and therapists, who are there to help them. These professionals can be lifelong friends and accountability partners, as can the fellow patients in drug rehab or alcoholism treatment. These new friends can be very critical because addiction treatment and recovery often means a complete overhaul of a person’s network of friends and acquaintances.

Going into addiction treatment and recovery, a person must have the right mindset and motivation. They must do this for themselves, because they want to live a healthier life. Each individual addict must make his or her own decision to seek recovery. No one else can make that choice for them and pressure them into the decision; in this case their chances of success would be drastically reduced. Addiction treatment and recovery requires persistence and great determination, as it could possibly be a lifelong battle.

It is a good idea to set benchmark goals during addiction treatment and recovery. Celebrating those victories as they are achieved can provide great motivation to sustain the journey. Patients in drug rehab or alcoholism treatment have to keep everything in perspective, especially if they stumble. They should be commended for even seeking help in the first place. Should relapse occur, it is not the end of their battle, as long as they are willing to keep on fighting toward achieving a healthier lifestyle.

The services in drug rehab or alcoholism treatment facilities can help prevent relapse. Counseling and therapy, often viewed as an unnecessary extension of addiction treatment, is actually a fundamental building block. These services are offered for an important reason, and they should be used. Aftercare, which is ongoing counseling and therapy, will further help guard against relapse. Addiction treatment is nothing of which to be ashamed, so a person should continue whatever aftercare is necessary without worrying about how others are perceiving the situation. The social activities offered in rehab will provide a distraction from the temptations of drug use and will help a person make new friends who are supportive and can truly empathize with the struggles of addiction treatment.

New, healthier friends will be important because associating with old friends who were steeped in substance abuse will prove detrimental to the recovery process. Other life changes may be needed as well, such as a new home or job. Addiction treatment programs may also teach life skills, like new methods of coping with stress and disappointment in life. Part of a healthy, successful, productive life after addiction treatment is eliminating or reducing sources of stress in life, which possibly even means ending a love relationship if it is unhealthy.

There are many different treatment options for someone who is trying to overcome a substance addiction. These treatment options vary greatly in terms of duration, intensity of care, and other factors. There are outpatient, inpatient and long-term care facilities with behavioral and medical treatment approaches. It is important to carefully consider all the options before making a decision on addiction treatment. This is one of the most important decisions recovering addicts can make, as their health and their future depends upon it.

Outpatient addiction recovery facilities do not require overnight stays, but instead allow patients to return home after receiving treatment each day. The treatment at outpatient drug rehab facilities can be considerably less intense than at inpatient facilities and the duration of treatment is often considerably shorter. This is a good addiction treatment option for people who need drug rehab, but also have family or work commitments that cannot be neglected for weeks at a time. This can also be a more cost-effective addiction treatment option than the alternatives.

Inpatient care provides a more intense treatment, the duration of which can range anywhere from a few days to three months. Inpatient care is around the clock, with patients staying overnight on the premises. Inpatient drug rehab facilities usually have a physician on the premises or on call around the clock, to be prepared for any medical complications that can arise from the withdrawal symptoms during the detox phase. Like with outpatient care, inpatient care provides therapy, counseling, and life skills classes, although those being treated in an inpatient facility will likely experience these to a greater degree.

Long-term treatment ranges from three to 12 months, typically. This type of addiction treatment offers many of the same aspects as addiction, and also requires patients to reside on the premises. This is appropriate for harder addictions like heroin and addictions that have a longer history. This is often the costliest of all three options, although insurance or financing can provide some assistance.

As far as approaches to treatment, there are two very different philosophies to which most treatment facilities subscribe. These are the behavioral and medical treatment approaches.

The medical approach treats addiction like a disease that requires treatment from medical experts. Synthesized drugs are used to help ease a person off their addiction and lessen their withdrawal symptoms and also to prolong their recovery long-term.

The behavioral approach to addiction treatment considers addiction to be a series of choices that can be turned around without significant medical intervention. This is not to discount the use of synthesized drugs to help a person during detox, or the use of prescription medicine for co-occurring disorders like depression or paranoia. The behavioral addiction treatment approach makes heavy use of counseling, therapy and life skills classes to help a person turn their life around.

Just as there are options in receiving addiction treatment, there are options in paying for addiction treatment. Insurance can help alleviate a person’s financial burden, and financing may also be available through the facility or through an independent lender. Outpatient treatment may be the best option for those who are short on funds. Addiction recovery is serious and a lack of financial resources should not stop someone from getting the help they need.

Upon hearing their loved one has a substance addiction, a common reaction among family members is a sense of overwhelming guilt and shame. The first thing to understand is that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Addiction can happen to anyone. It is not the fault of any one particular person. Some believe addiction is a choice, and some believe it is a disease. Even if it appears that family stress may have added to the problem, family members cannot totally dictate the direction a person’s life will take.

The role that family members can play is offering the utmost support when a relative decides to change the direction of their life. They should not judge or gossip about their relative. Addiction is a very private, personal battle, but support from family members can contribute greatly to success. Part of addiction treatment is seeking forgiveness from those hurt by the addiction. Family members need to be prepared to forgive any past harm or wrongdoing caused by the addiction. Family members themselves may require therapy and counseling to reach the point where they are ready to forgive and support their relative. Counseling and therapy will help family members work through the emotional and mental damage that addictions can cause. In turn, this will help the family members be a stronger support system for their loved one.

Family members can support their loved ones through drug rehab or alcoholism treatment without enabling them. For instance, once the addiction has come to light, it would probably be a bad idea to continually provide the loved one with monetary support. Instead, help them buy groceries, clothing, a vehicle, or whatever else they may need. Loved ones may be especially tempted to misspend money in the early stages of their addiction treatment. Be sure to tell your relative you will always love them, are proud of them and you support their decision to seek addiction treatment. Help your loved one find activities to keep them busy and distracted from their addiction treatment and the temptation of relapse. Family members should also strive to create a positive, supportive, substance-free environment for their loved one to find refuge during the difficult adjustment period after addiction treatment has ended.

Family members should understand that addiction treatment is a very long process, sometimes even lifelong. Relapse is not uncommon, but is also not the end of the journey. Should relapse occur, it should be viewed as a small part of the overall journey. A person can overcome the stumbling block of relapse to start again, even stronger than before. Family members should encourage this, and ongoing professional counseling and therapy will help as well. Family members should not underestimate or downplay the importance of these ongoing counseling and therapy sessions, commonly referred to as aftercare. These sessions are not signs of weakness, but are instead tools of strength.

The addiction recovery experience is different in some way for everyone. However, two things all addiction recovery experiences have in common are that they are not easy and they always start with a choice by the addict themselves. Addiction recovery can be a lifelong battle to resist temptation, so it takes determination and persistence to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Often, the first step of addiction recovery is detox, ridding the body of all toxins created by substance abuse. Detox can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, like sweating, nausea, headaches, seizures and anxiety. This step should be medically supervised in case of accident or self-injury.

Often, another part of addiction rehab involves therapy and counseling sessions. This is a critical part of addiction recovery, and patients often underestimate its importance. Patients will benefit from being open-minded and honest, whether in individual, group or family therapy. Therapy and counseling is so important that it should continue well after a person ends their other treatment and returns to daily life. It can help the recovering addict work through the emotional and mental baggage that often goes hand-in-hand with addiction and the recovery process.

A recovering addict may feel the need to set an example for others in their counseling sessions. Perhaps they simply feel a need to avoid disappointing others and to stay true to their original commitment. In this way, therapy and counseling can also help hold patients accountable, whether to their therapist or their peers.

Life skills classes are another beneficial step of addiction recovery. This is not always included in the process, but patients benefit greatly from it. It may include classes about parenting, financial management, stress and anger management or alternative coping methods, to name a few. These classes, along with therapy and counseling, can help prevent a person from experiencing relapse, a return to drug and alcohol use. They also help a person adjust to life after addiction so they are a happier, more satisfied person.

It is not uncommon for recovering addicts to feel shame, guilt and regret over what they have done in the past. They may even hold bitterness toward the person who introduced them to drugs, supplied them with drugs, or perhaps even their family and friends for failing to intervene. Therapy and counseling can help a person work through these emotions to a certain degree. Ultimately, the addict must forgive the people toward whom they are bitter and get past the shame and guilt to move on toward a better, healthier life.

People who learn that someone is in addiction recovery will probably show mixed reactions. Some will be judgmental and taken aback that the person was ever addicted. Others will be supportive and proud of the addict for doing what’s needed to recover and taking that first step toward change. It is important for recovering addicts to mentally set aside reactions from employers, family, friends and colleagues in order to keep pursuing their number one goal – a healthy, clean and sober life.

Addiction recovery is difficult, and sometimes the most difficult task of a person’s life. The battle of addiction recovery can be quite lengthy. In fact, it can be a lifelong battle. Addiction recovery is a complex thing, particularly when dealing with co-occurring disorders like alcoholism or depression. When dealing with dual diagnosis, addiction recovery can be twice as difficult because each problem must be treated individually.

There are many different methods of addiction recovery. Some people choose self-coordinated recovery, without any support. This can be the most difficult method of addiction recovery, a method that can increase the chances of relapse. Because addiction recovery is so difficult, it is beneficial for a person to be surrounded by supporters who will encourage them and hold them accountable. There are types of addiction recovery that provide that contact with others. These include 12-step support groups, which can be specific to those dealing with alcoholism, general drug addiction, or addiction to specific types of drugs.

Another addiction recovery option is a treatment facility, and there are many different types from which to choose. These include inpatient, outpatient, or long-term residential drug rehab facilities with medical or behavioral treatment approaches. The medical treatment approach takes the stance that addiction is a disease requiring medication. Medicine is administered throughout the detox phase, in particular, to ease withdrawal symptoms. Behavioral treatment takes the stance that addiction is a choice that can be modified through life skills classes, education, counseling, etc. This approach addresses the behavior, encourages positive choices and tries to teach different techniques to help facilitate a healthier life after recovery.

Each and every day is different in addiction recovery. A typical day might include a group outing or activity, or some type of community service opportunity. There are also regular therapy and counseling sessions, either in a group or individual setting. There may be a time for medical treatment, if the addiction treatment facility takes a medical approach. There may also be life skills classes such as anger or stress management, parenting classes and courses on social skills, financial management and a host of other topics. This will be offered particularly at a facility that takes a behavioral treatment approach. At some point during the treatment, most facilities will encourage patients to work at some type of simple, part-time job as a step toward reintegrating into society. After treatment is over, many facilities offer follow-up services, or aftercare, to ensure that former patients’ lives are remaining clean, sober and stable.

Ultimately, addiction recovery is freedom. A life after recovery from a horrible substance addiction is a life of pride, stability and courage. It is also a day-by-day ongoing battle. There will be temptations and guilt along the way after recovery, and there might even be a relapse. This is not uncommon, and it is not the end of the road. Anyone who is living life as a recovering addict will tell you it is an existence driven by perseverance and determination, and it can be extremely rewarding.