Alcohol Addiction - Fourth of July - To Live or To Die

07/04/2005

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Many Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. In keeping with tradition, we at www.DrugAddictionHelpline.com would like to wish you a very Happy Fourth of July.

This time also makes the Fourth of July, the deadliest three day holiday weekend for drunk driving. Therefore, our efforts are to educate the public by making them aware of the magnitude of alcohol use, abuse and addiction.

More than one half of American adults have a close family member who has or has had alcoholism. Approximately 14 million Americans - about 7.4 percent of the adult population - meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism.

Alcohol is the fourth leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 24, underage drinking costs Americans nearly $53 billion. In the United States, the average age that kids begin to drink at is 12 years old. More than 40 percent of individuals who start drinking before the age of 13 will develop alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.

The gap between alcohol use by boys and girls has closed. Among ninth graders, girls consume alcohol and binge drink at rates almost equal to boys. A study of fifth and sixth grade students found that those who demonstrated an awareness of beer ads also held more favorable beliefs about drinking and intended to drink more frequently when they grew up.

Men who consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day are at increased risk for cancer, accidents, and violence. Long-term, heavy alcohol use is the leading cause of illness and death from liver disease in the U.S.
Alcohol is implicated in more than 100,000 deaths annually.

Recent advertising expenditures in the United States for beer, wine, and liquor combined ($1.4 billion) totaled about 20 times the amount spent on milk ads ($70.5 million). A total of $910.4 million was spent on beer ads, $135.2 million on wine ads, and $377 million on liquor ads.

Early drug and alcohol education is vital for our children; they are the future of this country. If drinking is delayed until age 21, a child's risk of serious alcohol problems is decreased by 70 percent. To request drug education personnel to come to your school or group, go to www.DrugAddictionHelpline.com And help reverse the drug problem today.

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