Heavy drinking by a woman during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects. Alcohol may effect the benefit and toxicity of some medications and could prove fatal. Alcoholism is a disease and not a moral weakness. Alcoholics have a higher tolerance to to alcohol than the average person. Alcohol consumption has been linked to health problems and a major cause of accidents.
Alcoholism is a treatable disease that one can recover from with treatment.
Like dealing with an eating disorder, the person with an alcohol problem will need help, support and understanding. It's not just about quitting drinking, it's about learning how to cope and deal with problems and stresses in life in a healthy and productive way. Both eating disorders and alcoholism not only effect the sufferer, it also effects their friends and can make a deep impact on family. Many will make great efforts to hide their alcohol problem as they usually feel ashamed, guilty and embarrassed. Again, you cannot force someone to seek and get help.