by HM1 Alvin Grant, USN

For most people, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate alcohol use--up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people (A standard drink is one 12 ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5 ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits)--is not harmful for most adults. Nonetheless, a substantial number of people have serious trouble with their drinking.

Currently, nearly 14 million Americans, one in every 13 adults are alcoholics or alcohol abusers. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems. In addition, approximately 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking problem.

The consequences of alcohol misuse are serious and in many cases, life threatening. Heavy drinking can increase the risk for certain cancers, especially those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx. It can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and harm to the fetus during pregnancy.

Drinking also increases the risk of death from automobile crashes, recreational accidents, and on-the-job accidents. In purely economic terms, alcohol-use problems cost society approximately $100 billion per year. In human terms, the cost are incalculable.

Alcoholism, which is also known as "alcohol dependence syndrome," is a disease that is characterized by four elements:

• Craving: strong need, or compulsion, to drink.

• Loss of control: frequent inability to stop drinking once a person has begun.

• Physical dependence: occurrence of withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. These symptoms are usually relieved by drinking alcohol or by taking another sedative drug.

• Tolerance: need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to stay intoxicated.

Alcoholism has little to do with what kind of alcohol you drink, how long you have been drinking, or even exactly how much you consume. It only has to do with a person's uncontrollable need for the substance of alcohol.

So you say you only drink occasionally? I always ask while facilitating Alcohol Awareness classes, if anyone knows what "social drinking" is. There are many given answers, but the one answer I always receive is "If you are drinking, so shall I" (socially).

There's a significant problem here. If you feel you have to drink:

• Each time a friend comes over

• After your significant other falls asleep and you steal the car keys to get your drink

• Have specific times in your schedule for your drinking.

• Make time when your significant other is away at school or work to

sneak your drink

• Celebrate the end of each workweek with a drink, you may have a serious problem.

This description of alcoholism helps us understand why most alcoholics can't just "use a little willpower" to stop drinking. He or she is frequently in the grip of a powerful craving for alcohol, a need that can feel as strong as the need for food or water. Relatives, friends and co-workers are probably a dependable source to ask: "Do you think I have a drinking problem?" Never ask if you don't want the truth.

With support and treatment, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. Recent research supported by the National Institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism has demonstrated that for many people, a vulnerability to alcoholism is inherited.