Health Topics for Drug Abuse

Department of Psychiatry Chemical Dependency Center

Alcohol: An Addictive Drug

Alcohol is a legal mood-altering and addictive drug. It can be purchased by anyone of legal age according to local law.

Alcohol is by far the most common drug of abuse across all age groups. Alcohol is involved in nearly 50 percent of all major injuries, including motor vehicle accidents, assaults, stabbings, and shootings. Over 100,000 people die in the United States per year of alcohol-related causes.

While social drinking in small amounts produces no adverse consequences, many people go on to abuse alcohol. They may have significant health, family, work, or legal consequences. People who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin at age 21. Over 76 million people in the United States have been exposed to alcoholism in the family; they grew up with or married an alcoholic or a problem drinker or had a blood relative who was an alcoholic or problem drinker.

Alcohol, like nicotine and marijuana, is frequently the entry level drug that leads to harder drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Alcohol is also one of the most physically damaging drugs. It can cause liver and kidney damage as well as high blood pressure and heart disease. Seizures are also commonly associated with alcohol withdrawal.

If you are concerned about someone close to you or your alcohol use, please contact your healthcare provider, Alcoholics Anonymous, your Employee Assistance Program, or the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at 800-NCA-CALL, or 800-622-2255.

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