Today it is the norm for all of us to enjoy a drink at the end of a hard day's work or with our friends and colleagues.. It has become the social norm. When consumed in moderation, it can be a relaxing tonic. Unfortunately, it is difficult to know, though, when that relaxing drink has taken over your life and when you become dependent on it? Alcohol abuse in today's society is a serious problem. In days past it was believe that alcohol abuse was a characteristic of weak people, but now it is seen as a serious disease that can affect us all.

Alcohol Abuse Statistics

A surprising statistic is that 1 in 13 adults is affected by alcohol abuse. The online health guide, WebMD reported that in the United States alone, 12 to 14 million adults suffer from alcohol abuse and each year, around 100,000 adults will die from alcohol abuse. It has also been proven that alcohol abuse is a large factor in contributing to the country's car accidents, suicides and homicides. Alcohol also affects many other things in daily life, including increased rates of job absenteeism, and increased reports of domestic violence and child abuse.

Recognizing the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Having the odd glass of wine or occasional drink at home or with friends does not mean that you have a problem with alcohol. As a guideline it should be noted that:

- in women, a key indication that there is a degree ofalcohol abuse is if you consume more than seven drinks a week and more than three in a social gathering. - In men, the rate of consumption would have to equal more than 14 drinks per week or anexcess of four drinks while with friends.

Other signs include: - an obvious alcohol cravings, - a noted loss of control when drinking, leading to the person unable to say stop when he has had enough. - When the level of alcohol tolerance increases markedly can be another sign of alcohol abuse, - When the drinker displays a physical dependence on alcohol, such as nausea, sweating and headaches if no alcohol is consumed.

The scientific community are in agreement that many other factors are involved with drinking, such as family history of drinking, family genetics, stress levels, and social and environmental factors.

Alcohol abuse has become a serious disease that is escalating all over the western world. Fortunately, it is treatable, but is difficult to cure and it can affect anyone. There are many factors make some people more susceptible to it than others. Even though many of us drink and enjoy ourselves in moderation, however,it is important that we all hear the message and keep our consumption to recognized tolerable levels.

Recently a relatively new phenomenon known as "Binge Drinking" has arisen amongst our young, where it is considered to be fun by drinking multiple varieties of alcoholic beverages way in excess of what is considered reasonable rendering the reveler completely inebriated to a state where their health is put at extreme risk. This bad influence can only lead to more and more of us suffering from alcohol abuse.