Heather Ainsley
news@greenepublishing.com
Since the beginning of our nation's history, alcoholism has had its hold on our people. It is estimated that in 1770, the average colonist drank around three and a half gallons of alcohol a year, and by the year 1830, that number had grown exponentially, with people over the age of 15 drinking more than seven gallons a year.
In time, some felt alcoholism was beginning to become a problem for the young nation. As such, the government attempted to thwart the onslaught of alcoholism in the American people with prohibition in 1919. This made it illegal to consume, sell or possess alcohol. This proved to be ineffective. As a result, the underground trade network for alcohol began to blossom, and with it came all manner of organized crime.
Prohibition was repealed in 1930, and after World War II, alcohol consumption began to increase. That war is, to this day, considered to be the most deadly conflict in human history, and there was a significant correlation between the severity of combat stress and alcohol use in soldiers after they returned from the war.
Scientific studies began to show the risks of extensive alcohol use, including fetal alcohol syndrome, cancers, heart disease, stroke, weight gain and cognitive development issues. As a result of these discoveries about the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, the legal drinking age was increased, laws were tightened around drunk driving, and even alcohol advertisements began to change their language. Ads began to recommend “safe and sensible” drinking limits, and many advertisements were accompanied with a message of “Drink Responsibly.” Even so, some feel that America still has an alcohol consumption problem. According to a 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, around 5.9 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 have admitted to consuming alcohol regularly. This represents 15 percent of an age group for whom alcohol consumption is illegal. Even with all the warnings, alcohol-related deaths account for more than 140,000 people each year, making it the fourth-leading preventable cause of death in our country.
The NIAAA defines “heavy drinking” as consuming more than four drinks a day or more than 14 drinks in a week for men, and more than three drinks per day or more than seven drinks per week for women.
Long term consumption of alcohol can lead to fibrosis (scarring) of the liver, as well as alcoholic hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver. These conditions can lead to liver failure, which can be fatal.
Over time, a person can develop a tolerance to alcohol, which can make them unaware of their own overconsumption. One way to determine if your alcohol use is becoming alcohol addiction or alcoholism is this phrase: “alcohol is a problem when it causes problems.” This means that if your alcohol consumption has begun to cause issues in areas of your life, such as your health, driving history, relationships and careers, it has likely morphed into an addiction. This can start slowly, like being late to work because of a hangover, or spending too much money on alcohol and being unable to pay your bills, or arguing with a loved one about your alcohol use.
Alcoholism is a diagnosable illness, it comes with a defined set of symptoms. Symptoms include the following:
• Being unable to limit or control how much you drink
• Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from drinking
• Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol
• Continuing to drink alcohol even if it is causing problems in your life
• Using alcohol in situations where it is not safe, such as when driving or swimming
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol so that you need more to feel its effect
• Experiencing withdrawals when not drinking- this includes, sweating, nausea, and shaking.
Alcohol addiction is a disease, much like many other addictions. It is fueled by a chemical reaction in the brain, and it is unsafe to just simply “stop” your intake. Withdrawal symptoms can be as life threatening as excessive alcohol consumption is. While it is not impossible to overcome alcohol addiction alone, it is recommended that someone suffering from alcoholism seek professional help in order to recovery safely. Alcoholism recovery often requires more than willpower alone. For those seeking assistance with their alcohol consumption, contact the Apalachee Center at (850) 997-3958.