The Alcohol Related Problems And Alcohol Related Deaths That Are Associated With Heavy Drinking And What Can Be Done About Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism In The U.S.
How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems? How many people lose their lives each year from a condition that is 100% preventable, such as alcohol poisoning? How many people are the victims of alcohol related crime or violence each and every year? How many individuals get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? How many people's lives are cut short due to abusive and unhealthy drinking? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they require? How many individuals face severe consequences in their lives because they received a "drunk driving" conviction? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose?
So what's the point in asking these questions? Principally to stress the devastating and destructive nature of unhealthy and abusive drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, it is a wonder why anyone would choose to drink in an irresponsible and hazardous manner.
Stated another way, with the host of employment difficulties, legal proceedings, financial issues, health problems, and relationship dilemmas that are correlated with chronic alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, why would any individual with any sense at all want to drink in an excessive manner? If truth be told when some of the above topics are looked at more closely, hazardous and abusive drinking becomes more illogical and makes even less sense.
Wouldn't you think that alcoholics would be able to see some of the alcoholism symptoms that they display? In a similar manner, doesn't it seem logical to think that many more heavy drinkers would be able to perceive some of the alcoholism signs that they manifest? In addition, would you not think that individuals who are addicted to alcohol would attempt to learn more about their alcoholic symptoms by researching some basic alcohol related information, statistics, and facts?
After reviewing the alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction research literature, the point is so critical that it needs to be reiterated: With all of the destructive and disastrous effects that are directly or indirectly correlated with continuous and repetitive alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse, why would any individual want to involve himself or herself in hazardous and abusive drinking?
What can be done about the widespread nature of alcoholism and alcohol abuse in the U.S.? Firstly, society needs to get the message to more people about the destructive and unhealthy consequences of excessive and careless drinking. Second, individuals who are alcoholics or alcohol abusers need to look look at themselves candidly and ask why they are not getting the professional alcohol rehab they require.
Thirdly, our students need more meaningful and more relevant educational and preventative methods and approaches so that more students at all grade levels, including those at college, are "reached". And fourth, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than gravitating to the "instant gratification" and the "quick fix" of a drug or alcohol abuse "high" or "buzz".
There's a lot of room for optimism and hope if individuals can start drinking responsibly and those who engage in excessive and abusive drinking can become motivated to get the alcohol treatment they require. Indeed, why put your loved ones through suffering, turmoil, and pain because of your careless and hazardous drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking in moderation or even refraining from drinking if you can't control your drinking?
