On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they require? How many people die each year from a condition that is 100% preventable, such as alcohol poisoning? How many individuals are the victims of alcohol related crime or violence each and every year? How many individuals get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? How many people face serious consequences in their lives because they received a "drunk driving" conviction? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? How many people's lives are cut short due to hazardous and irresponsible drinking? How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems?
So what is the primary reason for asking these questions? Mostly to emphasize the destructive and devastating nature of hazardous and careless drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, it is a wonder why anyone would choose to drink in an abusive and irresponsible manner.
Stated a different way, with the host of relationship issues, health problems, financial dilemmas, employment difficulties, and legal proceedings that are interrelated with chronic alcohol abuse and alcoholism, why would any individual with good reasoning skills want to drink in an excessive manner? In fact when some of the above topics are looked at more closely, abusive and hazardous drinking becomes more illogical and makes even less sense.
Wouldn't you think that chronic alcohol abusers would be able to see some of the alcoholism symptoms that they display? In a similar manner, doesn't it seem feasible to think that more chronic alcohol abusers would be able to perceive some of the alcoholism signs that they display? Moreover, would you not think that individuals who are dependent on alcohol would try to learn more about their alcoholic symptoms by reading about various alcohol-related statistics, facts, and information?
After reviewing the findings, the point is so relevant that it needs to be restated: With all of the destructive and unhealthy consequences that are directly or indirectly linked to continuous and repetitive alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse, why would any individual want to engage in careless and hazardous drinking?
What can be done about the pervasive nature of alcohol abuse and alcoholism in our country? Firstly, society needs to get the message to more individuals about the unhealthy and damaging consequences of careless and excessive drinking. Second, people who are alcohol abusers or alcohol dependent need to look look at themselves frankly and ask why they are not receiving the quality alcohol therapy they need.
Third, our students need more relevant and more meaningful educational and preventative methods and approaches so that more students at all grade levels, including those who are at college, "get the word". And fourth, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than getting easily drawn to the "quick fix" and the "instant gratification" of an alcohol or drug abuse "buzz" or "high".
There's room for optimism and hope if people can start drinking responsibly and those who engage in unhealthy drinking can become motivated to get the alcohol rehab they need. Indeed, why put your loved ones through suffering, turmoil, and pain because of your careless and excessive drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking responsibly or even refraining from drinking if you cannot control your drinking?