The Truth About Alcohol (Truth About Series)

209 Pages·2004·0.67 MB·English

by  William Kane

THE TRUTH ABOUT
ALCOHOL

THE TRUTH ABOUT
ALCOHOL
MARK J. KITTLESON, PH.D.
Southern Illinois University
General Editor
WILLIAM KANE, PH.D.
University of New Mexico
Adviser
RICHELLE RENNEGARBE, PH.D.
McKendree College
Adviser
Barry Youngerman
Principal Author
The Truth About Alcohol
Written and Developed by BOOK BUILDERS LLC
Copyright ©2005 by BOOK BUILDERS LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by
any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the
publisher. For information contact:
Facts On File, Inc.
132 West 31st Street
New York NY 10001
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The truth about alcohol / Mark J. Kittleson, general editor; William Kane, adviser;
Richelle Rennegarbe, adviser; Barry Youngerman, principal author.
p. cm.
Includes index
ISBN 0-8160-5298-0 (hc: alk. paper)
1. Teenagers—Alcohol use. 2. Alcoholism—Prevention. I. Youngerman, Barry.
II.Kittleson, Mark J., 1952–
RJ506.D78F33 2004
362.292′0835—dc22
2004000509
Facts On File books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quan-
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Text design by David Strelecky
Cover design by Cathy Rincon
Graphs by SholtoAinslie, PatriciaMeschino
Printed in the United States of America
MP Hermitage 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
CONTENTS
List of Illustrations vii
Preface ix
How to Use This Book xi
Addictive Behaviors and Alcohol 1
A to Z Entries 15
Advertising and Counteradvertising Campaigns 17
Alcohol, History of 20
Alcohol Abuse, The Risks of 28
Alcohol and Disease 38
Alcohol and Violence 47
Alcoholism, Causes of 56
Binge Drinking Among Teenagers 62
Birth Defects and Alcohol 68
Children of Alcoholics 72
Choices, Responsible 77
Drinking and Driving 82
Drinking and Drugs 92
Drinking on College Campuses 102
Effects of Alcohol on the Body 113
Hangover 123
Law and Drinking, The 128
Peer Pressure and Alcohol 135
Recovery and Treatment 139
Risk-Taking 149
Self-Help Programs 154
Sexual Behavior and Alcohol 160
Underage Drinking 169
Hotlines and Help Sites 175
Glossary 179
Index 187
LIST OF
ILLUSTRATIONS
One Drink Equals . . . 24
The Costs of Alcohol Abuse in the United States, 1998 36
Youth Violence and Substance Abuse 48
A Month’s Alcohol Use by Age Group 66
Heavy Use of Alcohol Declines with Age 78
Percentages of Alcohol-Involved Drivers by BAC Levels,
Gender, and Age 83
Leading Causes of Death for People Ages 15–20 84
Percentage of Persons Aged 12 or Older Reporting
a Month’s Binge Alcohol Use, by Age Group, 2000 94
Heavy Drinking by Age 103
Harmful Effects of Alcohol on Nutrition 117
Percentage of Population Receiving Alcohol or
Illicit-Drug Treatment 144
The Twelve Steps 156
Percent of Crimes Involving Alcohol Abuse 162
vii

PREFACE
In developing this series, The Truth About, we have taken time to
review some of the most pressing problems facing our youth today.
Issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, depression, family problems,
sexual activity, and eating disorders are at the top of a list of growing
concerns. It is the intent of these books to provide vital facts while also
dispelling myths about these terribly important and all-too-common
situations. These are authoritative resources that kids can turn to in
order to get an accurate answer to a specific question or to research the
history of a problem, giving them access to the most current related
data available. It is also a reference for parents, teachers, counselors,
and others who work with youth and require detailed information.
Let’s take a brief look at the issues associated with each of those
topics. Alcohol and drug use and abuse continue to be a national con-
cern. Today’s young people often use drugs to escape the extraordi-
nary pressures of today. In doing so they are losing their ability to
learn how to cope effectively. Without the internal resources to cope
with pressure, adolescents turn increasingly back to addictive behav-
iors. As a result, the problems and solutions are interrelated. Also, the
speed with which the family structure is changing often leaves kids
with no outlet for stress and no access to support mechanisms.
In addition, a world of youth faces the toughest years of their lives,
dealing with the strong physiological urges that accompany sexual
desire. Only when young people are presented the facts honestly,
without indoctrination, are they likely to connect risk taking with cer-
tain behaviors. This reference set relies on knowledge as the most
important tool in research and education.
ix