About Addiction
According to a recent Gallup Poll, more than a third (36 percent) of Americans report drinking has been a source of problems for their family. Of the 64 percent of Americans who say they drink alcoholic beverages at least occasionally, 26 percent say they sometimes drink more than they should. A significant portion (16 percent) of these individuals report that they have made a serious effort to stop drinking.
In addition to problems with alcohol use, many people have developed dependence on either prescription (tranquilizers, sedatives, sleep and pain medication) or street drugs (cocaine, marijuana, heroin, etc.) As chemical dependency progresses, misuse of both alcohol and other drugs is common.
Addictive disorders affect all age, gender, and vocational groups: those with advanced education, professionals, union members and entertainers. Many experts in this field have identified that approximately 10 percent of those who use addictive drugs will develop problems with dependency and impaired functioning. These problems are sometimes called substance abuse, or chemical addictions, alcoholism, and the most common, chemical dependency.
The primary indicator of a problem with alcohol or drugs is continued use despite negative consequences at home, work, or with physical or emotional health.
