America is still suffering from a drinking problem. While teen drinking is down, there is still a rise in alcohol consumption, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths having to do with drinking. By seeing how bad drinking alcohol is now compared to the Prohibition Era, we can see that much more needs to be done in regards to treatment.
How Much Americans Drink
In the late 1910s, before the U.S. banned the sale and manufacturing of alcoholic beverages, Americans drank under two gallons of alcohol a year. Today, Americans are drinking 2.3 gallons, which is about nine drinks a week. The heaviest drinking was in the early 1800s when Americans would drink 7 gallons of alcohol a year. In 1934 after Prohibition was repealed, per-capita consumption was under one gallon but has been up and down since. Heavy drinking rose in the 1970s and 1980s when alcohol consumption was 2.75 gallons. It went down again in the mid-1980s when deaths rose from drunk driving and Congress raised the drinking age to 21 years old. Then, it climbed again in the mid-1990s.
Alcohol a Public Health Problem
Alcohol is a public health problem in that alcohol is killing people. Alcohol is the cause of a variety of diseases like liver cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Others are also affected by the drinking of others through drunk driving accidents or alcohol-induced violence. More than 88,000 Americans die each year because of excess drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism said that alcohol-related deaths have doubled since 1999 and the death rate has risen 50%. This could be because people are mixing opioids with alcohol in the rising opioid epidemic.
Alcoholism Treatment
You can first start your treatment with alcohol detox to help treat the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. This is why you should make sure you are treated by medical professionals that are around the clock. After this, you are ready for inpatient rehab where you can stay at a facility for 30, 60, or 90 days to learn about alcohol triggers and the importance of sobriety. Once you hit the maintenance level, you can take what you have learned in recovery and use it to feel comfortable in your life. More people are drinking now compared to over a century ago shows that not enough is being done towards alcoholism and that we need to act now.
At Alta Loma Transformational Living, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. Alta Loma uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, where you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 866-457-3843.
