What You Need to Know About Addiction to Alcohol

If you are someone (or know someone) who struggles with an addiction to alcohol, you have come to the right place. When it comes to alcohol addiction, the first step is to acknowledge that a problem exists. If you can’t address the problem at hand, it is unlikely that you or your loved one will be able to get help (i.e. an alcohol detox center or alcoholism treatment facilities). For this reason, it is imperative that the issue is addressed so help can be administered. Next, it is important that you consider the facts below as alcoholism can affect a number of people so being aware of the statistics and impact of alcohol-related issues is crucial. Read the tips below to recognize the signs of alcoholism and you’ll be able to identify whether or not you need help.

1. Addiction to alcohol is the leading drug problem in the United States and requires extensive attention as it impacts many people.

When it comes to drug problems in the United States, people often think about hard drugs like marijuana or heroin. That said, the biggest threat is currently alcohol. Consider, that alcohol is the #1 drug problem in the U.S. This means, that the majority of people suffering from drug problems suffer from alcoholism, as they drink too much and it’s impacted their life in a negative way. If you or a loved one potentially drinks too much, know that you are not alone and there are many services available which can help you overcome alcoholism.

2. Certain groups (namely college students) are more likely than others to suffer from an addiction to alcohol, so pay close attention if you fall into this category.

With regards to alcoholism, certain groups are far more likely experience alcoholism and alcohol-related addiction than others. For example, roughly 20 percent of college students meet the criteria for an Alcohol Use Disorder. This means, that a significant number of college students are likely to use alcohol in a negative way. if you are a college student or know one, keep an eye out for these signs as alcoholism can be a horrible and deadly disease.

3. Addiction to alcohol is often treated significantly after the first sign is shown, so if you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of alcohol addiction be sure to act now.

On average, alcohol addiction patients receive treatment 8 years after the age at which they develop the condition. The issue with this statistic is that people develop an addiction to alcohol but then do not receive help for a very long time. This means, that they go a long time not getting help for their addiction and risk getting extremely sick or even worse, dying, during the time they don’t receive treatment. Thus, the minute you or a loved one acknowledges that there is a drug addiction, it is imperative that you reach out and get help.

If you found these tips helpful, then you are on the right track to learning how to address addiction to alcohol. What is most important, is following the aforementioned tips as they can help you identify an alcohol-related addiction. First, it is important to acknowledge that addiction to alcohol is the leading drug problem in the United States. Second, certain groups (namely college students) are more likely than others to suffer from an addiction to alcohol. Lastly, addiction to alcohol is often treated significantly after the first sign is shown, so once you notice a sign report a problem to avoid mistreatment or lack of treatment.