Phoenix Alcoholism & Alcohol Abuse Afflicts 30% of Population

Despite over a hundred years of research and scores of potential treatments, alcoholism remains America's most common addiction and the most notoriously difficult to overcome.

According to a new study released this in July by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more than thirty percent of American adults have abused alcohol at some point in their lives or suffer from alcoholism.

The same study says that only 25% of those afflicted received any treatment. And other studies show that, at best, only a small percentage of those who seek treatment manage to abstain from alcohol for a year.

"Alcohol problems are not just something that affects Hollywood stars," said Dr. Robert Swift, a psychiatrist at Brown University who specializes in alcoholism. "We're talking about a chronic, relapsing condition. And we still have a long way to go in treatment. It's like treatment of cancer-some people can be helped but others just cannot."

Science is learning that alcoholism, like addiction to narcotics, causes permanent changes to the brain that can never be permanently undone.

"Once you become an alcoholic or a drug addict, you can't go back," said Swift. "It's something that becomes a chronic illness. So the idea that you go through rehab and you're cured is really kind of a ridiculous idea. You wouldn't expect that with diabetes, so why do people expect it with alcoholism?"

The scientific findings, in turn, have begun to change the popular perception of alcoholism as a mere failure of will on the part of the drinker to stop drinking.

"The first drink may be volitional, but after one becomes addicted, it becomes a compulsion," said Ann Bradley, spokeswoman for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "Although we're always to be held responsible for our actions and their outcome, it's pretty fair to say that the most addictive drinking is well outside the control of the drinker."

Crossroads has been treating Phoenix alcoholism problems for decades. They run both men’s and women’s recovery centers and have recently opened a Phoenix methamphetamine treatment residence too. Crossroads helps those suffering from addiction to never regard themselves as "cured," just in a state of ongoing recovery or remission.

Crossroads, Inc. is a non-profit, drug and alcohol recovery, organization located in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona. Crossroads is a Level Four transitional facility licensed by the State of Arizona. The Crossroads program addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of alcoholism or drug addiction, by providing food, shelter, 12 step structure and discipline. We can help you find direction to sober living. Pick up the phone and call us: 602-279-2585. Visit our website at: http://sober360.com