What is alcoholism and chemical dependency?(1)
Alcoholism/chemical dependency is a disease that is characterized by:
• A strong need, or urge, for the chemical
• Not being able to stop using once use has begun
• Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping using
• The need to use greater amounts of the chemical in order to feel an effect
• Click here to read more about addiction
What is alcohol/chemical abuse?(1)
Alcohol/chemical abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that results in one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period:
• Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities
• Using in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery
• Having recurring alcohol/drug-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence or for physically hurting someone while under the influence
• Continued use despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the use
What causes alcohol/chemical dependency?(1)
Research shows that the risk for developing chemical dependency does indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor. Currently, researchers are working to discover the actual genes that put people at risk for chemical dependency. Friends, the amount of stress in a person’s life, and how readily available the substance is are also factors that may increase the risk for dependency.
What is an intervention?(2)
An intervention is a structured educational process facilitated by a trained professional in which family members and friends meet with the prospective patient to gently interrupt the negative spiral of untreated chemical dependency. The goal of the intervention is to facilitate the prospective patient's admission into an appropriate program of recovery.
Key Statistics(3)
• There are more deaths and disabilities each year in the U.S. from substance abuse than from any other cause.
• About 18 million Americans have alcohol problems; about 5 to 6 million Americans have drug problems.
• More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking.
• More than nine million children live with a parent dependent on alcohol and/or illicit drugs.
• Almost half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.
• Alcohol and drug abuse costs the American economy an estimated $276 billion per year in lost productivity, health care expenditures, crime, motor vehicle crashes and other conditions.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) officials estimate that 7.7 million people needed treatment for a drug problem yet found that only 1.4 million received treatment for drug abuse or dependence at a treatment facility.
(1) Courtesy of National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism web site
(2) Courtesy of the Betty Ford Center
(3) Courtesy of National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. web site. |
