Alcohol Addiction Information
Alcohol is a depressant that comes from organic sources including grapes, grains and berries. These fermented or are distilled into a liquid.
Alcohol affects every part of the body. It is carried through the bloodstream to the brain, stomach, internal organs, liver, kidneys, muscles–everywhere. It is absorbed very quickly (as short as 5-10 minutes) and can stay in the body for several hours.
Alcohol affects the central nervous system and brain. It can make users loosen up, relax, and feel more comfortable or can make them more aggressive.
Unfortunately, it also lowers their inhibitions, which can set them up for dangerous or embarrassing behavior. Alcohol is a drug and is only legal for people over the age 21.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2.6 million young people do not know that a person can die of an overdose of alcohol. Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person drinks a large quantity of alcohol in a short amount of time.
A standard drink is:
One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler
One 5-ounce glass of wine
1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Health Hazards
- People who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who wait until age 21. Each additional year of delayed drinking onset reduces the probability of alcoholdependence by 14 percent.
- One study showed that students diagnosed with alcohol abuse were four times more likely to experience major depression than those without an alcoholproblem.
- Alcohol use among adolescents has been associated with considering planning, attempting, and completing suicide.
Information provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Here are the results of a 1998 Alcoholics Anonymous Membership Survey:
Age
Under 21 2%
21 through 30 9%
31 through 40 28%
41 through 50 30%
Over 51 31%
Gender
Women 34%
Men 66%
Marital Status
Married 39%
Single 27%
Divorced 25%
Widowed 5%
Separated 4%
Occupation
Professional/ Technical 13%
Retired 13%
Other (such as self-employed) 11%
Manager/Administrator 10%
Laborer 8%
Unemployed 6%
Health Professional 6%
Disabled 6%
Sales Worker 5%
Craft Worker 4%
Service Worker 4%
Clerical Worker 3%
Homemaker 3%
Educator 3%
Student 3%
Transporter 2%
Additional notes:
- Treatment Centers account for 34% of referrals to A.A..
- Before coming to A.A. 60% of members receive some form of treatment or counseling
The primary incentive for the relocation and fresh environment of the recovery center is to alleviate the client of the constant bombardment of relapse triggers. Such triggers can include something as trivial as driving by their favorite liquor store to the pressure from coworkers and friends.
