According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), there are nearly 14 million Americans who are considered problem drinkers (including 8 million who have alcoholism) and 76 million people who are exposed to alcoholism in family settings. Here are good reasons for people who have drinking problems to quit drinking.
1. Stop drinking, for your and others’ life safety Every year, roughly one third of pedestrians 16 and older who were killed in traffic accidents were intoxicated. Drinkers are more likely to take risks that they might not take when they’re sober. They may drive drunk and injure themselves or others.
2. Stop drinking, avoid unplanned pregnancy People who are drunk also take other risks they might not normally take when they’re sober. For example, people who have impaired judgment may have unprotected sex, putting them at greater risk of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or unplanned pregnancy.
3. Stop drinking, for your family happiness Alcoholism causes damage to many families, each situation is unique. Some parents with alcohol problems might abuse their children emotionally or physically. Others neglect their kids by not providing sufficient care and guidance.
4. Liver disease resulting from binge drinking could become big killer Deaths from cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol abuse have doubled in the past 10 years and the condition in young people has increased eight-fold. Cirrhosis is killing more women than cervical cancer and more men than Parkinson’s disease.
5. Drinking too much accumulates fats Alcohol is a great source of calories but it doesn’t have the necessary vitamins and minerals. One thing for sure, if you get to the point of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, you will lose weight because one of the complications of alcohol abuse is malnutrition.
If you think you have a drinking problem, get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk to an adult you trust. It can be hard for some people to talk to others about these issues, but a supportive person in a position to help can refer you to alcohol counselor for evaluation and treatment.