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How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems? How many people lose their lives each year from a condition that is 100% preventable, such as alcohol poisoning? How many people are the victims of alcohol related crime or violence each and every year? How many individuals get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? How many people's lives are cut short due to abusive and unhealthy drinking? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they require? How many individuals face severe consequences in their lives because they received a "drunk driving" conviction? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose?

So what is the primary reason for asking these questions? Basically to stress the destructive and devastating nature of excessive and hazardous drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, it is a wonder why anyone would choose to drink in an abusive manner.

Stated another way, with the host of relationship dilemmas, financial difficulties, health issues, employment problems, and legal proceedings that are correlated with chronic alcohol abuse and alcoholism, why would any individual with good problem solving skills want to drink in an irresponsible manner? In fact when some of the above topics are put under the microscope more closely, hazardous and abusive drinking makes even less sense and becomes more illogical.

Wouldn't you think that alcoholics would be able to see some of the alcoholism symptoms that they exhibit? In a similar way, doesn't it seem feasible to think that more alcoholics would be able to see some of the alcoholism signs that they exhibit? Moreover, would you not think that individuals who are alcohol dependent would attempt to learn more about their alcoholic symptoms by researching some basic alcohol-related statistics, information, and facts?

After reviewing the findings, the point is so critical that it needs to be said again: With all of the dangerous and disastrous consequences that are directly or indirectly associated with repetitive and continuous alcoholism and alcohol abuse, why would any individual want to involve himself or herself in abusive and excessive drinking?

What can be done about the widespread nature of alcohol abuse and alcoholism in the U.S.? First, society needs to get the message to more people about the debilitating and damaging consequences of excessive and unhealthy drinking. Second, individuals who are alcohol addicts or alcohol abusers need to look look at themselves candidly and ask why they are not getting the professional alcohol treatment they need.

Third, our students need more relevant and more meaningful preventative and educational methods and approaches so that more students at all grade levels, including those who are at college, "get the word". And fourth, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than resorting to the "quick fix" and the "instant gratification" of an alcohol or drug abuse "buzz" or "high".

There's lots of room for hope and optimism if individuals can start drinking in moderation and those who engage in continuous and repeated drinking can become encouraged to get the alcohol rehabilitation they need. Indeed, why put your loved ones through suffering, turmoil, and pain because of your excessive and abusive drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking in moderation or even refraining from drinking if you can't control your drinking behavior?