Alcohol is probably the most widely abused drug in the United States. It is easily available, popular to use, and often not recognised as a dangerous drug. Most of the United States population has used beverage alcohol in one form or another. Many social events and celebrations include the use of alcohol. Men and women with a family history of alcoholism are also at increased risk for developing the disease.
Alcoholics use alcohol to cope with the stresses of every day life.
Because they avoid dealing with problems rather than solving them, alcoholics increase the stress in many aspects of their lives. Stress and anxiety may be used as excuses to drink. Many alcoholics isolate themselves from social situations and from close friends in an attempt to hide their overwhelming desire to drink. Spouses of alcoholics often are the first to suffer from the excessive drinking of the alcoholic. Many marriages end in divorce if the alcoholic continues to drink.