I-HEART | Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol Abuse

Culturally, alcohol use is widely accepted across our world. This isn’t a space where we’re going to talk about whether or not this is ok... rather, we’re concerned with the effects that result from alcohol abuse – the people hurting... the people mistreated... the families torn apart.

But first, some facts… Alcoholism is classified as a disease, often progressive and distinguished by an inability to control intake. This might be obvious to some of us.

But did you know this lack of control is a global phenomenon?

Every year there are 2.5 million alcohol related deaths worldwide, accounting for 4% of the total global disease burden. That’s massive!

Some studies estimate that up to 18% of all emergency department cases globally are alcohol related injuries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) report that 76.3 million people across our world have alcohol disorders. Whether the concern is youth alcohol abuse, as alcoholism permeates youth culture, a lack of education on alcohol use, a lack of medical care or the global trend of increased drinking to drunkenness … people’s futures are being affected.

Alcohol use and abuse is responsible for 20 - 30% of all motor vehicle accidents globally, as well as 20 - 30% of all incidents of liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver and epilepsy.

WHO reports that around 7% of people with alcohol disorders die of suicide.

It’s also responsible for 20 - 30% of all homicides globally.

This violence is echoed throughout our world. For example, in Estonia in 2005, 80% of juvenile violent crimes was alcohol related.

…33% of partner violence perpetrators in Switzerland were intoxicated at the time of the assault.

…In the UK, 58% of men imprisoned for rape reported alcohol consumption during the six hours prior to the assault and 37% of these men were regarded as alcohol dependent.

The almost universal culture of accepting intoxification translates to many countries having high levels of alcohol use.

For example, 31.8% of the Columbian population are regular, heavy drinkers.

And in Canada 20.1% of the adult population have been found to be heavy episode or binge drinkers.

…So where are the people, the groups, the organisations, seeking to help those of us with this disease and helping the families suffering from its affects?

…Who is helping to ease this global ‘disease burden’… helping… supporting… loving…