Untreated, alcoh olism results in physical incapacity, insanity or death. There are an estimated 10.5 million people in the country suffering from the disease of alcoholism, nearly half a million in New Jersey alone. One out of ten people who drink becomes an alcoholic. An alcohol-related family problem strikes one of every four American homes. Individuals who are close to an alcoholic need and deserve appropriate help to recover as well.
Alcoholism is treatable.
Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, has an estimated world membership of more than two million, in over 93,000 groups. Generally, a recovering alcoholic may never safely drink again, but can lead a normal, productive life as long as he or she maintains total abstinence.