Disturbing Alcohol Addiction Facts [Infographic]

Alcohol Addiction Facts Reveal Underage Drinking is a Serious Problem

About 2.5 percent of adolescents have an alcohol use disorder. They struggle with daily addiction. They’re also in danger of negative health effects from withdrawal symptoms. Only about 5.2 percent of these adolescents receive professional help for the condition.

Untreated Alcohol Use Disorders Can Be Deadly

The physical effects of alcohol include a broad range of diseases. When adolescents or adults don’t seek help for their addiction, their bodies suffer. At this time, fatalities related to drinking are the third leading cause of preventable deaths. On a related note, DUI fatalities make up 31 percent of all driving deaths.

Dying from Alcohol Use Doesn’t Always Happen Rapidly

Your body gradually deteriorates, and health begins to fail. Typical conditions related to drinking include cardiovascular problems, hypertension, fatty liver or cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and gastritis. About 40 percent of hospitalizations deal with health conditions that connect to alcohol use or abuse. For some patients, illnesses lead to disability.

Impairment of Your Ability to Drive Happens Quicker Than Most People Think

Most anyone believes that two alcoholic drinks are safe for a driver. And although you might only register a blood alcohol concentration of about 0.02 percent, you already experience impairment. Those registering with 0.08 percent or more, which typically takes four or more drinks, frequently tend to be younger. At highest risk were those between the ages of 21 and 24 to the tune of three in ten.

Changing Your Life is Possible at Any Age

This collection of alcohol addiction facts would be incomplete without pointing out that fighting addiction is possible. Whether you’re an adolescent, young adult, or belong to an older age group, you don’t have to become a statistic. Many of the health problems that alcohol brings on can get better with treatment and subsequent sobriety. But you can’t go at it alone.

At a facility that caters to victims of addiction, therapists help you overcome the cravings. Examples of treatments include:

• Residential inpatient alcohol rehab that lets you live at the facility
• Psychotherapy as a means for pinpointing dysfunction in your life and then changing it
• Group therapy sessions that encourage positive peer interactions
• Family therapy, which helps with re-opening communication with loved ones
• Executive, student, first responder, and other specialty rehab programs that customize treatment with your needs in mind

At Beaches Recovery, therapists work with people just like you, who want to end alcohol addictions. Call 866.605.0532 today for more information.