Alcohol is the most used and abused drug in the world, for this reason there is no wonder
why we have alcohol problems. The most common problem is alcoholism. Alcoholism is
a chronic usually progressive disease that includes both a psychological and a physical
addiction to alcohol. Alcoholics know what will happen to them when they drink but they
are so addicted they can't stop drinking. Alcohol becomes the most important part of the
person's life. It totally consumes them, all their thoughts and actions have to do are
somehow associated with alcohol. 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...
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