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who do you know that abuses alcohol?

When many people think of alcohol abusers, they picture teenagers sneaking drinks before high school football games or at unsupervised parties. However, alcohol abuse is prevalent within many demographic groups in the United States. People who abuse alcohol can be:

• College students who binge drink at local bars.

• Pregnant women who drink and put their babies at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome.

• Professionals who drink after a long day of work.

• Senior citizens who drink out of loneliness.

In 2003, almost 23 percent (54 million) of Americans participated in binge drinking within 30 days prior to taking SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). That same year, approximately 21.6 million adults abused alcohol or were alcohol dependent.

If you suspect that you might have a drinking problem, or you know someone who abuses alcohol, please contact CASAC at 664-3608 or 366-4623 or call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) at 1-800-729-6686.

CASAC provides free literature with additional information about the hazards of drinking alcohol:

• Reach Out Now: Talk With Your Fifth Grader About Underage Drinking

• Get Connected! Toolkit (Linking Older Adults With Medication, Alcohol, and Mental Health Resources)

• It's Not Your Fault!

• The Role of Parents in Preventing and Addressing Underage Drinking

• Tips for Teens: The Truth About Alcohol

• Substance Abuse in Brief: What You Should Know About Alcohol Problems

Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse

If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may have a problem with alcohol:

• Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
• Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
• Does your drinking worry your family?
• Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
• Do you ever forget what you did while drinking?
• Do you get headaches or have a hangover after drinking?

Source: How to Cut Down on Your Drinking