Alcohol use has been part of the social fabric since the beginning of human history. For many, the consumption of alcohol is a gratifying and reassuring convivial activity. For the majority of adults, moderate use (two drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women) poses little or no adverse effects. However, a significant number of individuals suffer major consequences in their personal and social lives because of their drinking behaviors.
It is estimated that 17 million adults in America abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent. In the body, alcohol impacts virtually every organ system. In too many instances, its repeated use is life threatening (more that 100,000 deaths each year). Alcohol is second only to tobacco as the leading cause of premature death in the United States.Frequent abuse of alcohol places the individual at increased risk for liver disease, brain and nervous system damage, compromised immune system, certain types of cancers, and fetal and birth abnormalities. Homicidal and suicidal behaviors are significantly increased with alcohol consumption. Academic difficulties and dropouts are strongly associated with alcohol use. Significant numbers of students involved in acquaintance rapes had been drinking.
Give yourself and those who care for you a gift by taking the following screening questionnaire.
1.Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people annoyed or angered you by criticizing your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (eye opener)?
Interpretation:
One yes indicates a possibility of alcohol dependency, two or three indicate a high alcohol dependency suspicion index, and four yeses indicate alcohol dependency is highly likely. This questionnaire effectively discriminates alcohol dependency from non-alcohol dependency at or above the 90 percent range
Because as a legal drug, alcohol is extensively promoted socially and ubiquitously consumed, it leads all other drugs for treatment intervention. In purely economic terms, alcohol-related problems cost society in excess of 185 billion dollars yearly. In purely human terms, the costs are incalculable.
For assistance or answers to questions contact the following agencies:
Your Student Counseling Services
Owen Franklin Health Center
(936)857-2511
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services, Inc.
475 Riverside Drive, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10115
Phone: (212) 870-3400; Fax (212) 870-3003
Internet address: http://www.aa.org
Makes referral to local AA groups and provides informational materials on the AA program.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD)
22 Cortlandt Street, Suite 801
New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 269-7797; Fax (212) 269-7510
Email: national@ncadd.org
HOPE LINE: (800) NCA-CALL
(24-hour Affiliate referral)
Internet address: http://www.ncadd.org
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
1600 Corporate Landing Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
Phone: (757) 563-1600; Fax (757) 563-1655
Email: WSO@al-anon.org
Internet address: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
Makes referrals to local Al-Anon groups, which are support groups for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic person’s life.