AlcoholismMedical Author:
Joachim Gruber, MD, PhD
Coauthor:
Brett Roth, MD
Coauthor:
Dennis C Daley, PhD
Medical Editor:
Michael D Burg, MD
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Anthony Anker, MD, FAAEM
Alcoholism OverviewAlcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life threatening and affect the individual, the person's family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Despite all of the focus on drugs such as cocaine, alcohol remains the number one drug problem in the United States. According to community surveys, over 13% of adults in the United States will experience alcohol abuse or dependence (also referred to as alcoholism) at some point in their lives. Withdrawal, for those physically dependent on alcohol, is much more dangerous than withdrawal from heroin or other narcotic drugs.
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Alcoholism
Substance Abuse Overview
People abuse substances such as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for varied and complicated reasons, but it is clear that our society pays a significant cost. The toll for this abuse can be seen in our hospitals and emergency departments through direct damage to health by substance abuse and its link to physical trauma. Jails and prisons tally daily the strong connection between crime and drug dependence and abuse. Although use of some drugs such as cocaine has declined, use of other drugs such as heroin and "club drugs" has increased.
- Finding effective treatment for and prevention of substance abuse has been difficult. Through research, we now have a better understanding of the behavior. Studies have made it clear that drug education and prevention aimed at children and adolescents offers the best chance to curb abuse nationally.
- The 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse estimated the number of u...
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