Alcoholism: A Chronic Disease

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Pages: 2

Alcohol is one of the most consumed drugs worldwide.According to the National Survey on Drug use and Health, approximately 8.7 million Americans under the legal drinking age (12-20 years of age) were current alcohol users. This statistic includes 5.4 million binge drinkers and 1.4 million heavy drinkers. Alcoholism is a developmental disease that progresses slowly over a number of years and is not only affected physically but also takes a mental effect on the person. Long term usage of these substances leads to many of users with brain damage or early death. Alcoholism is a chronic disease, which means that the person will spend his/her whole lifetime struggling with it. It is a drug that sounds harmless with moderation, but like any drug will