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Treatment-Hotline2 :: Alcoholism :: Research and Reports
Addiction Research Update: Alcohol Death Risk
addiction and alcoholism are believed to be a learned behavior that is masking a person's emotional or physical pain. There are almost as many treatments as there are addicts and alcoholics.
Educate yourself before making any type of life-changing decison regarding alcoholism, addiction and substance abuse treatment.
Addiction Research Update: Alcohol Death Risk
While it's been clear for a long time that drinking is risky in cases of pregnancy, driving or alcoholism, it is often questioned whether drinking at all is associated with health risks, including death. Researchers in France, however, have determined that half of all deaths related to alcohol occur in those not dependent on the drug.
In situations (like those above) where complete abstinence from alcohol is recommended, the researchers found that drinking less than 3 drinks per day (2 for women) involves little risk for death. Above that threshold, however, life expectancy begins to drop. Deaths from cancer and heart disease become particularly more prevalent.
The researchers recommended that, if doctors gave each patient a brief questionnaire to identify those who drink more than the threshold amount, the doctors could follow up with a brief 10 minute discussion/intervention designed to help the patient reduce his or her alcohol intake. The study showed that 10-50% of those people actually reduced their use. In fact, the program was so successful that France has begun to use it on a national level. The World Health Organization has also adopted the approach that, "Drinking less is best".
No one knows exactly why alcohol contributes to health conditions like cancer and heart disease. Other conditions, like liver disease can occur in those who aren't actually dependent on alcohol. In pregnancy, alcohol use, even in recommended, safe amounts can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome-a lifelong birth defect affecting facial features and brain development. If the program remains helpful in France, it will likely be adopted as a healthcare strategy in other countries as well.
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