title: The impact of alcohol on society: a brief overview.
abstract: Alcohol is the most common drug used among adults in the United States. The use of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of injuries and accidents. Even a single episode of excessive drinking can lead to a negative outcome. Alcoholism and chronic use of alcohol are associated with numerous medical, psychiatric, social, and family problems. Family members, including children, exposed to a first-degree relative's alcohol problem are at risk for problems. Children of parents with alcohol addiction, for example, show higher rates of alcoholism than children who do not have parents with an alcohol addiction. It is important for social workers to keep in mind that alcohol and alcohol problems affect the health, safety, and well-being of people.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Translational Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. mossh@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Howard B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Moss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005192:Family Health; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012940:Social Problems / Q000517:prevention & control; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology