"Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psycho-social, and
environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.
Alcoholism is progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic:
impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug, use of alcohol
despite adverse consequences, and distortion in thinking, most notably denial.”

American Society Addiction Medicine

• Most alcoholics are between the ages of 18 & 30
  
  
• 40% of alcoholics have college degrees
  
  
• Student Health Service in the U.S. have reported cases of cirrhosis of the liver in students as young as 19 & 20

Signs of Alcohol Addiction:

Blackouts:

Alcohol-induced amnesia. Blackouts are not passing out. The person is functioning, but does not remember all or parts of the evening. High Tolerance: Takes more and more alcohol to feel the effects. An example of high tolerance is when you can drink your peers “under the table”, and perhaps you have been doing this since the first time you drank alcohol.

Withdrawal:

Withdrawal can be physical and/or psychological. Do you have even the mildest shakes following a night of drinking? (Physical) Do you get diarrhea (Physical) Do you sit in class and anticipate having a drink? (Psychological)

Loss of Control:

Not being able to predict how much you will drink each time you drink. This person usually drinks until he or she runs out of money or the party ends or the bar closes.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse:

• DUI
• Missing Class
• Poor Grades
• Fighting (Verbal or Physical)
• Relationship Issues (family, significant other, etc.)

Another question to ask yourself......
Do I have a family history of alcoholism???

• An individual is four times as likely to become alcoholic if his/her parent(s) is/are alcoholic
• 10% of the U.S. population has alcoholism