Alcoholics

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Alcoholism
Alcohol is the most used and abused drug in the world. For this reason, some of the most common problems in society are alcohol related. Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease that includes both a physical and psychological addiction. Alcoholics know the consequences associated with heavy drinking, but they are so addicted that they have no self-control. Alcohol becomes the single most important part of the person’s life. It totally consumes the alcoholic to the point where his or her thoughts and actions are associated with their alcohol addiction, if not guided by it altogether. Alcoholism, like other illnesses will become worse without treatment, and remain life threatening as long as it is left untreated.
The psychological dependence an alcoholic has is when they think alcohol is necessary and life will not be good without it. The physical dependence an alcoholic has is when their body becomes so used to the drug that it now needs alcohol to function without pain. Alcoholism is not a disease experienced only by adults. Alcoholism, like any illness, can strike at any age. Ten percent of the adult drinkers in the U.S are considered alcoholics or at least experience drinking problems to some degree. Surveys have shown that more than one out of three Americans have a personal friend or relative who has had a drinking problem for ten years or longer. Almost two out of three Americans report that they know someone who drinks too much. It is estimated that there are 18 million alcoholic or problem drinkers in the U.S. For every alcoholic there are at least four other people who are affected by the alcoholic. This means that in the U.S. there are at least seventy-two million other people dealing with the disease somehow.
Many people believe that alcoholics are people that are the skid row winos and bums. This is a common misconception. Actually ninety-four percent of alcoholics live at home, while only six per...