subject: Startling Facts You May Not Know About Alcoholism [print this page] 1) More and more scientific data is being collected to suggest that alcoholism may actually be linked to gene mutations in the human body. Studies also suggest that certain areas of the brain may be underdeveloped in people who suffer from alcoholism
2) According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is the third-leading cause of death in the United States.
3) Approximately 10 to 15 percent of people who drink alcohol will become alcoholics or develop alcohol-related issues.
4) Each year, an estimated 1.4 million people in the United States will get a DUI
5) In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 18 million people classified as alcoholics. Many of these people wont pursue treatment, however.
6) 53 percent of adults have said that at least one of their relatives has a drinking problem
7) Drinking can increase your risk for liver, kidney, throat, colon, larynx, rectum, and esophageal cancers
8) From an economic standpoint, alcohol-related issues, including DUI-related accidents, homicides, cases of child abuse, and domestic abuse, costs our country an estimated $200 billion annually.
9) Alcohol-related issues cost our nation more fiscally every year than cancer and obesity-related issues.
10) An estimated 3 million people in America over the age of 60 suffer from alcoholism or alcohol-related problems
11) Approximately 40 percent of college freshman have admitted to binge drinking, which includes drinking five or more alcoholic beverages at one time.
12) Approximately 20 percent of male college students have admitted to drinking 10-15 alcoholic beverages at one time well beyond what is defined as binge drinking.
13) Each year, 150,000 college students in the United States will develop an alcohol-related health problems.
14) Statistics show that 14 million people in America abuse alcohol or are classified as alcoholics, which includes fitting the criteria (higher tolerance, dependency, withdrawal, etc.) for classifying alcoholism.
15) Of the 14 million people in the U.S. that are classified as alcoholics, 3.1 million of them have received alcoholism treatment in a twelve-step or rehabilitation program.
16) Up to 80 percent of people who are suffering from alcoholism will suffer from brain disorders, including WernickeKorsakoff syndrome.
17) People who take their first sip of alcohol as children are four to five times more likely to develop alcohol dependency or alcohol-related health disorders.
18) Nearly 70 percent of young people who have their first sip of alcohol before the age of 15 will try an illegal drug such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or ecstacy.
