Needless to say, the situation involving alcohol consumption has spiraled into a series of unfortunate mishaps, one after another, sine the Prohibition dissolved in the 1930s. However, since the onset of the 20th century, the public began to grow warier of alcohol consumption and began to heed the words of Dr. Benjamin Rush (the first man to identify that alcoholism is a definitive mental disorder). Since that time, doctors and researchers around the world have attempted to set laws and standards to ensure this substance has not driven the public to a whole new level of insanity. Likewise, groups like Alcoholics Anonymous have also attempted to embrace victims with open arms, offering a welcoming environment where individuals can talk about their internal battles. So how has the status of alcohol use in America developed since the 1940s? Let’s take a closer look and find out more.
Providing Services to the Public
Since the end of the Prohibition, awareness of the dangers of alcohol began to take root in our society. In fact, back in 1944, the U.S. Public Health Service defined alcoholism as one of the most dangerous public health emergencies in America. Likewise, according to the National Traffic Highway Safety Association, the Grand Rapids Study (a program that focused on how alcohol impedes driving) made the official connection between intoxication and impairment while driving. Despite attempts to protect the public, however, drunk driving still remains one of the greatest threats to civilians in the United States. One response came in 1989 when officials formed Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to prevent underage alcohol consumption and create awareness for drunk driving altogether.
The Severity of Alcohol Abuse
As of now, the United States still suffers from a particularly nasty epidemic of alcohol abuse, and, as a result, the government has created programs to counter this growing problem. Organizations including the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) work hard to track how alcohol has negatively affected our country. Here are statistics about alcohol abuse gathered by the CDC:
- An estimated 80,000 people die from alcohol abuse annually in the United States.
- 2 million potential lives are lost due to alcohol consumption.
- Nearly 1 million emergency room cases and 3 million doctor visits centered on excessive alcohol use took place in 2006.
- In 2006, the U.S. spent nearly $224 billion on the costs of alcohol abuse problems.
Always remember that alcohol does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse or addiction troubles today.
