There are hundreds of studies done each year on alcohol addiction statistics. Many illustrate the scope of the alcohol addiction problem. Even though plans of action go in effect to help handle the situation, with each passing year we see devastating numbers in accidents, deaths, and costs for the nation. Here are some examples to help enlighten you on the situation:

• 76 million people are exposed to alcoholism somewhere in their family
• Approximately 6.6 million children live with a parent who is an alcoholic
• There are roughly 3 million problem drinkers between the ages of 14 and 17
• Suicide is more prominent among teen drinkers
• Teens who begin drinking before 15 years old are four times more likely to develop a dependency on alcohol than those who wait until they are 21
• 62% of high school students say they have been drunk at least once in their lives
• About every 1-13 adults are alcoholics. This is roughly 14 million Americans

Drunk Driving Statistics

The statistics on drunk driving are very sobering. Many people are unaware just how bad the problem is and continue to drink and drive. If you are one of those individuals who are in the mind set that you are in control when you have had just a few drinks, here are some statistics to let you know that anything can go wrong at anytime:

• Of all the fatal car crashes during the week days, 32% are alcohol related, 54% happen on the weekends
• 24 % of males compared to 13% of females are involved in fatal crashes
• 80% of fatal alcohol crashes are caused by beer alone
• There is a one in three chance that you will be involved in an alcohol related accident
• An individual is injured every two minutes due to alcohol related accidents
• 21-24 year olds have the highest intoxication rate for fatal crashes
• Approximately 17,000 people die each year due to alcohol related crashes
• The most committed violent crime in America is drunk driving
• Every 30 minutes someone dies from an alcohol related accident

Before you get behind the wheel after drinking and driving, think about the consequences of your actions and what could happen just around the corner

Categories of Alcohol Use

There are five basic areas that alcohol use can be categorized. Most people will fall in to the experimental or recreational area of use.  The dangers that drinking poses on people and the environment can occur at any of the

following levels:

• Experimental Use: This is when a person will try drinking just out of curiosity. They will most likely try it once or twice. This is risky because often times, the person does not know how they will react to each drink and the dangers that can come from this experimentation.
• Recreational Use: This is for a person who is looking to have a good time or fit in with another group. They will use alcohol for enjoyment, to enhance a mood or be lively at a social occasion.
• Situational Use: This is a person who is drinking to cope with life problems. In order to handle the demands of a particular situation, the person feels they may become overwhelmed if without alcohol to aid in the ease of the situation.
• Intensive Use: This is commonly known as “Binge” drinking. This is when a person chooses to drink a heavy amount in a short period of time. They may also consume alcohol over a period of days or weeks. This can be dangerous as they tend to not take care of themselves during this period.
• Dependent Use: This is when a person feels that they need to drink alcohol on a daily basis in order to function in life. This is most likely achieved over a period of time of the other four types of use. Their dependence will become physical and psychological. The person will continue to drink to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms

A person can move from level to level at any given time. Ultimately, if not responsibly handled, a person will end up in the last level as a Dependent User. Most of the time, a person will start out at the Experimental level and before they know if are at Dependent level.

For a person to become dependent, they must place some sort of value on the alcohol. If the person feels that they are benefiting in life from using alcohol to handle problems, they will continue to use it as a coping method. Low-self esteem, peer pressure, and emotional distress can all lead to alcohol abuse. To treat a person at any of these levels, we must first find out what the motivation is behind the cause in the first place.

Get Help

Don’t become a statistic of alcohol addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism call Narconon today at 1-888-824-0448. We can help you get back on the right track and free you from your alcohol addiction.