Study: One Out of Three Americans Have Alcohol Problem

ABC News reports Americans have a big problem with alcohol. According to new research, as much as thirty per cent of Americans abuse alcohol at some time in their lives .The abuse can come in different forms like binge drinking to serious alcohol addictions. The figures are published in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry which includes data from interviews with 43,000 Americans The journal reported 17.4 per cent as having alcohol abuse problems and 12.5 per cent as alcohol dependent.

Statistic showed forty-two per cent of men had an alcohol problem and nineteen per cent of women reported an addiction. The journal describes alcohol abuse as characterized by heavy drinking. Episodes of binge drinking, driving under the influence, financial problems, and trouble at home and work. Dependency is described as being tolerant of alcohol, compulsion, obsession, and impairment.

The data was collected from 43,000 Americans from 2001-2002. The participants were questioned about symptoms of alcohol abuse and dependency by the interviewers. The new study also found that there is also an eight to ten year delay after an addiction develops. Another discovery was that few seek treatment for their addiction.. The study's co-author, Bridget Grant said on Washington Post, " Only 24 per cent of people who had alcohol dependence are ever treated and the figures are even lower for those who seek help for alcohol abuse. She added, "Most physicians don't realize the state of the art treatment. Basically ,we need a national campaign to educate physicians and lay people that there are treatments out there and they are effective."

People with addictions put themselves at risk for accidents and injuries. Dr. James C. Garbutt of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program at University of North Carolina said on ABC, "Nearly 100,000 people die every year of alcohol-related causes. Alcohol carries a $200 billion a year cost to society. These are huge statistics " One reason why those with addictions may not seek treatment is because the insurance companies may only pay for a limited number of treatments. Another reason for not seeking treatment is alcohol is an accepted social behavior. Grant mentions the fact that some feel they have everything under control and can get over the problem themselves.

Alcohol problems are treatable and more people need to be made aware of new treatment options. Grant said on ABC News, " There is a general lack of understanding of how treatment has advanced has advanced over the past decade." For more information visit, U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

ABC News, "Alcohol Problems Plague 1 out of 3 Americans",
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/Story?id=3338855&page=3

USA Today, "Study :Over Thirty Per Cent Report Alcohol Abuse"
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-02-alcohol-abuse_N.htm?csp=34

Washington Post, "Third of Americans Have Alcohol Problem at Some Point",
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/02/AR2007070201237.html