Alcoholism-The Need for Improvement of Alcohol Treatment Programs

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One out of every thirteen adults is affected by this. Fourteen million Americans alone suffer this disease, caused by a combination of physiological, psychological, social, and genetic factors. It destroys lives, tears apart families, and can even defeat the toughest of people. And now, nearly half of all teenage kids use it. I am speaking of course, of alcohol. Alcohol can only be defeated through proper funding, reform, and cooperation.

There are approximately 85,000 alcohol related deaths in the United States each year (Drug War Facts, 2004). Included in that number are young teens, college students, and adults. The word alcoholic means anyone who is affected by drinking, and seriously influences or interferes with his/her work, family, or health (Alcoholic. 2009Merriam-Webster Dictionary) Alcoholism is a disease, and one of the worst to have. Over nine million Americans have alcoholism (Harris, 2000). Programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), have a very high failure rate. About 90% to be more accurate. Very few alcoholics make it successfully through AA, leaving little cha...

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