02 November 2016

Abramson, Lyn Y., Gerald I. Metalsky, and Lauren B. Alloy. 1989. “Hopelessness depression: A theory-based subtype of depression.” Psychological review 96 (2): 358 -- 372.

Interesting figures are provided in numerous sources they are different in details, but can be summed up in the following picture. Evidently, almost everybody tries alcohol, but only about 20% come to the addiction stage.  Complete abstinence after the stage of alcohol addiction that is viewed by DSM-5 as serious is available to about 3-4 %. This percentage is lower than the level taken as statistical uncertainty. Moreover, one can be sure to say this percentage is equal among those who underwent different programs and those who managed the addiction themselves. The data is tragic, but not hopeless. Among the 200 million alcoholics worldwide 3-4 % people means millions of those who got free from alcohol, millions examples that there’s a chance.

The Pros of Alcohol Consumption 

Despite the enormous negative health and socioeconomic  impact of alcohol use and abuse on the world  population, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption also  has several beneficial human health effects. These include  reduced risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes,  and some types of cancer (187). A substantial proportion  of the benefit of moderate drinking is due to the pure  ethanol component of alcoholic beverages; however, differences  in the beneficial effects of various alcoholic beverages  may occur (98).