I’m not much of a drinker. I’ll sip an occasional glass of sparkling wine to be social, but the truth is I’ve never really cared for the taste of alcohol; it reminds me of cough medicine. It’s high in calories, too. I would rather gain weight eating chocolate cake than drinking a glass of wine that’s about 228 calories, or a pint of lager that packs 200 calories. That’s the same as a slice of pizza!
I knew alcohol addiction was a problem for some people, but I was surprised and saddened by the statistics I discovered while researching information for this blog:
- 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2016, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report published in October 2017.
- About 19,500, or 3.5 percent, of all cancer deaths in the United States were related to alcohol in 2009, according to a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
- 1 percent of people killed by homicide or law enforcement in 2013 tested positive for alcohol, according to data from the National Violent Death Reporting System.
- 2 percent of people who died by suicide in 2013 tested positive for alcohol, according to data from the National Violent Death Reporting System.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that more than 15 million people in America are addicted to alcohol. Because it’s readily available to buy in grocery stores, bars, restaurants, movie theaters, sporting arenas, etc., people often consider alcohol use a normal activity compared to drug use. So, alcohol has become one of the most commonly used and abused addictive substances in the country. In fact, one in every 12 adults aged 18 and older meets the criteria for alcohol addiction.
The risk of someone becoming dependent on alcohol rises by a staggering 200 to 300 percent if their parent or guardian abused alcohol. This early exposure can lead a child to think that alcohol abuse is normal. It can cause childhood traumas and make someone more likely to drink to cope with those experiences.
When obtaining and drinking alcohol becomes the highest priority in someone’s life and the driving force behind nearly all their important decisions, they are showing major signs of addiction.
Other behavioral signs of growing addiction include:
- Having withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Being unable to function or perform daily tasks without drinking
- Drinking multiple times per day
- Rationalizing or justifying alcohol use
- Drinking in risky situations such as while driving or at work
- Developing a tolerance and needing more alcohol to get the same effects
- Regularly binge drinking
- Being unable to control amount of drinking
- Blacking out from excessive drinking
- Choosing alcohol over relationships and responsibilities
- Declining academic or workplace performance
- Lying about the amount or hiding drinking
- Wanting to stop drinking, but being unable to
Physical signs of alcohol abuse include:
- Changes in weight
- Extremely dry skin
- Flushed appearance
- Frequent stomach cramps
- Decrease in personal hygiene
- Impotence and erectile dysfunction
- Broken capillaries on the nose and face
- Sudden increase in age spots and wrinkles
- Yellowed skin and eyes from liver damage
Chronic alcohol abuse can result in:
- Serious heart problems, including abnormal changes in blood pressure and arrhythmia
- A weakened immune system that leads to an increased risk of infections and disease
- Disrupted communication within the brain, resulting in impaired judgment, motor skills, and emotional and behavioral problems
- Severe liver damage, including alcoholic hepatitis fibrosis, and cirrhosis
- A much higher risk of throat, liver, mouth, esophageal, and breast cancers
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, developmental disorders, and birth defects resulting from drinking while pregnant
Bio-Touch has been shown to ease the symptoms of alcohol addiction. While not a substitute for standard medical care, Bio-Touch is an effective complement to mainstream medical protocols. And there are no negative side effects to worry about. Everyone, even children, can learn Bio-Touch!
The Bio-Touch organization is offering a workshop on alcohol addiction at the Center in Tucson on Thursday January 23rd from 6-8PM. Workshop attendees will learn the Bio-Touch points necessary to address the symptoms.
So, come and bring your family and friends to the Center at 5634 E. Pima St. in Tucson. It’s so rewarding to share Bio-Touch, and you’ll feel great learning how to help others feel better! For more information or to learn about online classes, go to JustTouch.com
