After awhile, though, it slows the activity of the brain and spinal cord. Half of all murderers, as well as half of all homicide victims, have been drinking at the time of the crime. Forty to 50 percent of all criminal arrests are alcohol-related. Suicide is high among alcoholics.
Alcoholism is a chronic disease.
Whether you're an alcoholic depends on how you react to alcohol, not how often or how much you drink. In the beginning, drinking blocks troubles, melts fears, and reduces tension. By the time you lose control over your drinking, however, you probably have suffered serious personal, job-related, health, and family problems. If you're a problem drinker, you must be ready to face the fact that alcohol is ruining your life and that you can't control your drinking. You have to want to stop before any assistance will be effective.