Almost half of Americans age 12 or older reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days in a 2001 survey. About 20% (1 in 5) of Americans age 12 or older reported binge drinking at least once in those same 30 days. The use of alcohol increases with age from 2.6% at age 12 to a peak of 67.5% at age 21. The rates of use begin to decline after age 21 to 64.3% of those between 21-25 year old and 59.9% of those 26-34 years old. Rates continue to decline with age to 33% of those aged 65 or old. Binge and heavy drinking follow similar peaks and declines. The rate of binge drinking was 48.2% at age 21 decreasing to 5.8% at age 65 or older.

Although most people who drink do so safely, those who drink heavily create a ripple effect of problems that encompass their families, friends and communities. About 7.4% of Americans (14 million) meet the criteria for alcoholism or alcohol abuse. More than one-half of American adults have a close family member who has or has had an alcohol problem. About one-fourth of American children under the age of 18 are exposed to alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence in the family.

Alcoholism is a disease that includes four symptoms— craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance. Craving is a strong need or compulsion to drink. Loss of control is the inability to limit one's drinking. Physical dependence is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and anxiety when drinking is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance is the need to drink more alcohol to feel intoxicated. Alcoholics are unable to will themselves to stop drinking—they are in the grip of an uncontrollable need for alcohol that overcomes their will to stop drinking. The need for alcohol can feel as strong as the need for food or water. The majority of alcoholics cannot stop drinking without help, such as treatment and support. It is not understood why some people can drink without problem while others cannot. Genetics, environment, peer pressure, and access to alcohol all are factors in the development of dependency.

Alcoholism is one of New Mexico's most serious problems. The 1999 State of Health in New Mexico Report indicated that alcohol consumption has been the leading cause of premature death in New Mexico due to cirrhosis of the liver, motor vehicle crashes, homicide, and suicide. The statewide rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths was more than double the national rate.

Alcohol Awareness Month (April 1-30) is a month-long event intended to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse and the seriousness of the problem. The following are warning signs of alcohol abuse: drinking alone when angry or sad, being late for work because of drinking, causing your family to worry because of your drinking, drinking after telling yourself you won't, not remembering after drinking, and headaches or hangovers after drinking.

References: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/facts.aspx?topic=3, http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/seasonal/aprilalcohol/, http://www.health.state.nm.us/StateofNM2000/alcoholanddrugabuse.htm.

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