Nearly one-third of people diagnosed with psychotic disorders show a history of alcoholism and alcohol-dependency. Clearly this disease is devastating in its scope and impact. It is a strain on the public health system and a trauma for countless families nationwide...

Nonetheless, new research is showing that even these staggering statistics may be understating the true damage inflicted by alcoholism. According to a major new international study, the cancer risk associated with heavy alcohol consumption has long been underestimated and may rival even the risks posed by smoking. The study, conducted by the France-based International Agency for Research on Cancer, was recently published in The Lancet Oncology journal.

The research results lead to the conclusion that extreme levels of drinking and alcohol dependency can considerably increase the risk of a multitude of cancers. These include cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, liver, mouth and larynx. There is even the suggestion of a link between alcohol consumption and lung and pancreatic cancers, although there were not sufficient findings to be conclusive on these two cancers.

The cancer study's findings caused mild controversy among some in the medical community, as other recent studies had suggested that moderate alcohol consumption may result in a reduced risk of heart disease. However, cancer researchers emphasized that the current study reflects only the consequences of heavy, long-term drinking such as that associated with alcoholism. Moderate drinking - defined as two glasses of wine daily - by non-alcoholic adults continues to be recommended by some doctors.

The death rates caused by alcoholism are astounding. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that alcoholism causes more than 320,000 deaths per year in the industrialized world, approximately 185,000 in men and 142,000 in women. In developing countries, where rates of alcoholism among the population can be higher, alcohol has been blamed for more than 1.5 million deaths in men and 300,000 in women every year.

In central and eastern Europe public health officials consider the problem of alcohol consumption particularly acute, where economic troubles and the affordability of highly-concentrated alcohols such as vodka have led to near-epidemic levels of alcoholism.

Some research has suggested that the increase in head and neck cancers in eastern European countries may be partially attributed to rising rates of alcoholism.

For those who believe they may be suffering from alcohol dependency, the 24-hour Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline can be reached at 1-800-ALCOHOL. You can also contact your physician for a guide to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other treatment options.