Some basic facts concerning alcoholism include: the disease afflicts nearly 14 million people nationwide, or nearly one in every 10 adults; it kills nearly 20,000 Americans each year, both directly and as a result of alcohol-related incidents and conditions.
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.
Based on the results of the study, researchers have concluded that excessive drinking and alcohol dependency can significantly raise the risk of a host of cancers, including those of the breast, colon, esophagus, larynx, liver, and mouth. There may even be an association between alcohol consumption and lung and pancreatic cancer, although the findings of the study were not entirely conclusive on those two forms.
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 number of alcohol related deaths is overwhelming. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that alcoholism results in more than 320,000 deaths per year in the industrialized world, with approximately 185,000 being men and 142,000 being women. Rates of alcoholism in the population of developing countries can be higher, with alcohol being responsible for more than 1.5 million deaths in men and 300,000 in women yearly.
Public health officials consider the problem of alcohol consumption particularly acute in central and eastern Europe, 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 Hot line can be reached at 1-800-ALCOHOL. For a guide to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other treatment options, sufferers are also encouraged to contact their physician.
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.
Based on the results of the study, researchers have concluded that excessive drinking and alcohol dependency can significantly raise the risk of a host of cancers, including those of the breast, colon, esophagus, larynx, liver, and mouth. There may even be an association between alcohol consumption and lung and pancreatic cancer, although the findings of the study were not entirely conclusive on those two forms.
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 number of alcohol related deaths is overwhelming. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that alcoholism results in more than 320,000 deaths per year in the industrialized world, with approximately 185,000 being men and 142,000 being women. Rates of alcoholism in the population of developing countries can be higher, with alcohol being responsible for more than 1.5 million deaths in men and 300,000 in women yearly.
Public health officials consider the problem of alcohol consumption particularly acute in central and eastern Europe, 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 Hot line can be reached at 1-800-ALCOHOL. For a guide to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other treatment options, sufferers are also encouraged to contact their physician.
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