Whenever I want to say something particularly radical, I turn to publications by government agencies. Often, these research-based groups are forced to utter realities, which are the surest way to raise cries of "kill the monsters!"
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol (NIAAA) is the American agency in charge of investigating alcoholism. Based on the largest study ever conducted (43,000 people) of people's life histories of alcohol use the NIAAA concluded in 2010:
I know that jargon is hard to follow. Let me restate. Most people (3/4ths) recover from alcoholism on their own, and most still drink. Dial forward to the latest alcoholism study to hit the airwaves. "Heavy drinkers cut intake over time, but still drink more than the average adult."
- years after onset of alcohol dependence, about three-fourths of individuals are in full recovery; more than half of those who have fully recovered drink at low-risk levels without symptoms of alcohol dependence.
- About 75 percent of persons who recover from alcohol dependence do so without seeking any kind of help, including specialty alcohol (rehab) programs and AA. Only 13 percent of people with alcohol dependence ever receive specialty alcohol treatment.
These "heavy drinkers" were former problem drinkers or alcoholics:
A new study has suggested that heavy drinkers may reduce the amount of alcohol they consume over a period of years but are not likely to go down to the level of the average adult. Given that heavy drinkers often don't become "normal" drinkers on their own, the takeaway message for clinicians and family members is to help connect a problem drinker to a community social service agency or Alcoholics Anonymous. > > > > Read More
