Alcoholism is one of the most common, and destructive forms of addiction – impacting more than 27 million Americans. And, with widespread and devastating effects. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 90,000 die as a result of drinking making it the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the United States today.
Given its prevalence, much of the focus on addiction research is designed to not only develop new treatments, but more importantly, investigate how the disease can be prevented.
Research Methodology
In a recent study published in the Society for the Study of Addiction’s journal, Addiction, researchers explored the influence of alcohol-related advertising. Using telephone- and web-based surveys conducted periodically over a two-year period, participants were asked to self-report how often and how much they drank and which alcohol-related advertisements they remembered encountering recently.
Conclusion
Researchers found that participants were much more likely to start drinking at an earlier age (and more heavily) when exposed to alcohol advertisements that featured a “partying theme”. So, what does this mean? While there are many implications, the data suggests that the alcohol manufacturing industry should take this into consideration – and not glamorize a lifestyle of alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of Disordered Drinking
While scientists continue to explore the relationship between alcohol consumption and environmental triggers, it doesn’t have to be a life sentence. It is often easily diagnosable and highly treatable.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the most common symptoms include:
- An inability to limit how much you drink
- Developing a tolerance over time where you feel the need to drink more to get the same effects
- Drinking to avoid severe symptoms of withdrawal
(Note: You can read an expanded list of signs and symptoms at our website here.)
Commonly Recommended Treatments
Addiction is different for everyone, which is why many recovery specialists and rehab facilities leverage a combination of treatment protocols including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, life skills training and 12-step based drug and alcohol education.
Find Sobriety at English Mountain Recovery
English Mountain Recovery specializes in helping individuals struggling with alcohol abuse begin a new life of lasting sobriety. Our nationally accredited treatment center, located in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, offers 30- to 90-day residential inpatient, 12-Step based drug and alcohol rehab services. To learn more, call (877) 615-8569.
