A new government report states that most of the people who drink heavily to get high are not alcoholics. The study also affirms that there is more that can be done to help heavy drinkers to cut down on their alcohol intake, The research was conducted by CDC on 138,100 adults, and they found that every heavy drinker is not an alcoholic. The study was conducted by the team of National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The results indicated that nine out of 10 people who drink too much are not addicts, and also that this behavior can be changed.
Drinking excessively results into 88,000 deaths per year, and is hence a threat to public health. It results in some diseases like liver failures, kidney diseases, and even drunk driving causes accidents, which lead to death. Dr. Robert Brewer, who leads the alcohol program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “I don’t want to minimize the fact that excessive drinking can be a difficult behavior to change even in those people who are not alcohol dependent. So many of the cues people get about drinking behavior in our society are confusing. People think drinking to get drunk is part of having a good time.”
Dr. Brewer also expresses, “Many people tend to equate excessive drinking with alcohol dependence. We need to think about other strategies to address these people who are drinking too much but who are not addicted to alcohol.”
The researchers hence say that the problem of excessive drinking is much easier than it was previously thought to be. It is however challenging to bring into control that certain populous, who is actually driven by excessive drinking, though meagre than it was previous thought to be. Previous research projects have concluded that even raising the price of an alcoholic beverage by 10 percent reduces alcohol consumption by 7 percent.
The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends several evidence-based strategies to reduce excessive drinking, including increasing alcohol taxes, regulating alcohol outlet density, and holding alcohol retailers liable for harms resulting from illegal sales to minors or intoxicated patrons. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening and counseling for excessive drinking for all adult patients. This service is covered by most insurance plans, and can also be delivered by computer or telephone.
For more information about excessive drinking, including binge drinking, and how to prevent this dangerous behavior, visit the CDC’s Alcohol and Public Health website athttp://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/index.htm. Members of the public who are concerned about their own or someone else’s drinking can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at1-800-662-HELP to receive assistance from the Treatment Referral Routing Service.
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