The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

Alcoholism afflicts individuals of all social groups and age levels, although young adults have the greatest risk for addiction to alcohol. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 51 percent of Americans—more than 125 million people over 12 years of age—reported being current drinkers in 2007. That same year, an estimated 1.3 million people received treatment for the use of alcohol, and another 1.4 million received treatment for using both alcohol and illegal drugs, wh