The facts about alcohol abuse and the benefits of inpatient treatment to combat this prevalent addiction.
Alcohol. For many it's a way to unwind with friends, celebrate life's victories or enjoy the big game. For others, it's an addiction that is robbing them of their health and their well-being. According the Centers for Disease Control, 61 percent of adults drank alcohol last year. In that same study, 20 percent of current drinkers admitted to have five or more drinks in one day at least once during that time period. In other words, binge drinking isn't just for college kids anymore; it affects 13 million in the U.S. alone. In 2006, there were 22,073 alcohol-induced deaths, more than 13,000 of those from alcoholic liver disease.
But just what is alcohol abuse and when does casual drinking cross the line into a serious problem?
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking. It affects your relationships, job and family in an adverse way. Problem drinking can also lead to physical injury and legal issues (arrests for driving under the influence are most common). Despite the dangers, every day in the U.S. more than 13,000 children and teens take their first drink. More frightening is that 25.9 percent of underage drinkers consume nearly half of the alcohol consumed by all underage drinkers. American youth who drink before the of age 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholics than young people who do not drink before the age of 21. In the college years, the dangers continue. More than 150,000 U.S. college students develop alcohol-related health problems.
Alcohol's Effects On the Body
Heavy drinking can have extensive and far–reaching effects on the brain, ranging from simple "slips" in memory to permanent and debilitating conditions that require lifetime custodial care, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Even moderate drinking leads to short–term impairment, as shown by extensive research on the impact of drinking on driving. Long-term effects include blackouts, brain damage, liver disease and death.
The Cost of Alcohol Abuse
Despite the prevalence of 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and readily available in-patient treatment centers, alcohol dependence cost the United States an estimated $220 billion in 2005, according to a study from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. That figure is much higher than that incurred by cancer or obesity, two problems that receive much more ongoing attention in the media.
Alcohol abuse doesn't just take a financial toll, though, it also takes a human toll. Every year, 1,400 U.S. college students die from alcohol-related injuries, including car accidents. In 2004, 16,694 U.S. deaths occurred as a result of alcohol-related motor-vehicle crashes, nearly 39 percent of all traffic fatalities during that period. This amounts to one alcohol-related death every 31 minutes.
Are You Addicted?
Maybe you're not sure you need medical help. How can you tell if you, a friend or a loved one is in need of treatment for alcohol abuse? Try answering these simple questions:
Are you using alcohol to escape today?
Have you tried to stop drinking and can't?
Are you drinking more than you did a few weeks or even a few days ago?
Alcohol Rehab At La Paloma
You don't want to trust your recovery to just anyone. La Paloma Treatment Center's staff is experienced in alcohol addiction. The staff-to-client ratio at La Paloma assures personalized care and the facility uses an integrated treatment approach, dealing not only with the addiction but any mental or emotional conditions that led to substance use in the first place. A newly renovated detox wing is available for those who need it, with medical supervision allowing for the safest possible experience. Length of stay is determined on an individual basis, with the staff choosing the program that allows for the greatest level of long-term success. At La Paloma, continuing care is part of the plan, assuring that recovery is lasting long after you leave us.
Alcoholism Help
If you or someone you know is in need of treatment for alcoholism, contact La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about the treatment process, financing and logistics.
The facts about alcohol abuse and the benefits of inpatient treatment to combat this prevalent addiction.
