When you think of a alcohol abuser, what picture goes through your mind? Is it a picture of a homeless person with a bottle of wine in his hand? Is it a picture of a teenager sneaking drink before a ball game? The real picture is there are many within demographic groups. People, who abuse alcohol, can be the professional, a college student, the senior citizen, the factory worker, and so on.
   In 2007, one fifth of persons twelve or older participated in binge drinking at least once in thirty days according to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health. This totals to be around 57.8 million people.
   To recognize the serious problem of alcohol abuse, April has been designated as 'Alcohol Awareness Month'.

   The symptoms of Alcohol Abuse are:

    1) Abdominal pain
    2) Confusion
    3) Drinking alone
    4) Episodes of violence with drinking
    5) Hostility when confronted about drinking
    6) Lack of control over drinking-being unable to stop or reduce alcohol intake
    7) Making excuses to drink
    8) Nausea and vomiting
    9) Need for daily or regular alcohol use to function
   10) Neglecting to eat
   11) Not caring for physical appearance
   12) Numbness and tingling
   13) Secretive behavior to hide alcohol use
   14) Shaking in the morning

   If you have any of these symptoms or someone you know has, contact SAMHSA's Health Information Network, Alcoholic Anonymous, or your doctor. One of those can help give you information on the steps you or someone you know can get help.

Resources:

Alcoholics Anonymous
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
Al-Anon and Alateen