The 3 Risk Factors of Alcohol Dependence and Abuse

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The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) revealed that in 2012, about 87.6% of the people in the US aged 18 and above said that they drank alcohol at some point in their life. Drinking alcohol occasionally isn’t a problem; the problem is when drinking becomes an addiction. Its effects are serious because it impairs the ability to make rational decisions. It also hurts the reflexes; this is why drunk-driving is one of the leading causes of motoring accidents around the world.

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The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) revealed that in 2012, about 87.6% of the people in the US aged 18 and above said that they drank alcohol at some point in their life. Drinking alcohol occasionally isn’t a problem; the problem is when drinking becomes an addiction. Its effects are serious because it impairs the ability to make rational decisions. It also hurts the reflexes; this is why drunk-driving is one of the leading causes of motoring accidents around the world.

Here are some of the risk factors of alcohol dependence and abuse:

Age

The New York Times reported that about two million Americans aged 12 to 20 are heavy drinkers, while 4.4 million are binge drinkers. Drinking during the adolescent stage increases the risk of developing alcohol dependence. The earlier they drink, the greater the risk. Fortunately, only 9% who started drinking at the age of 21 became alcoholic.

The younger population isn’t the only segment at risk. Some start drinking during their late adulthood, which is more dangerous because their organs are older and more sensitive to alcohol. If they’re taking any medications, these can do more harm than good.


Gender

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that about 17% of men and 8% of women have become or are still alcohol dependent. Men drink more, but the number of women drinking alcohol is also increasing in recent years. Studies show that women are more vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol, such as alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and brain cell damage.

History A history of abuse, depression, family violence, and other stressful life events can lead to early dependence on alcohol. The younger people are at higher risk because they tend to be more emotional. If one or both parents drink alcohol, it’s likely that their children will also start drinking early and become alcoholic.

The factors that lead to why and how people started drinking alcohol can determine if they’ll develop addiction or not. Before things get worse, it’s best for those with the tendency to be addicted, to undergo recovery therapies like rehabilitation.


Sources:

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/alcohol-addiction-treatment-and-self-help.htm http://www.projectknow.com/research/drug-addiction-statistics-alcoholism-statistics/ http://www.renaissanceoutpatient.com/


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