Alcohol has also been associated with many unnecessary deaths. Though, it is the leading cause of all accidental deaths. Older adolescent students with substance abuse problems are 2.1 to 3.7 times more likely to report suicidal ideation or behavior than students who do not abuse alcohol or drugs. 5.5 percent of the 51,971 students they surveyed thought about or tried to commit suicide as a consequence of using alcohol and/or other drugs. Any suicidal ideation or attempt should be seen as a warning sign indicating the need for further assessment.
Alcohol abuse is also associated with negative consequences that are not as severe, but are still damaging to the individual drinker (Jellinek, E. M., 1952). percentages of people that had experienced negative consequences because of using alcohol in the past year: 62.8 percent had experienced a hangover, 21.7 percent had a hangover more than five times, 23.4 percent had performed poorly on a test or important project, 13.5 percent had trouble with police or college authorities, 7.7 percent had damaged property, 33.3 percent had been in an argument or fight, 50.1 percent had been nauseated or vomited, 35.6 percent had missed a class, 29 percent had been criticized by someone they knew, 11.7 percent thought they might have a drinking or drug problem, 28.2 percent had memory loss, 39.3 percent had done something they had regretted, 5.7 percent had tried unsuccessfully to stop using, and 16.1 percent had been hurt or injured. (Lex, B. W., 1991)
The Natural Course of Alcoholism
Every illness, if left untreated, follows a natural course or progression. Jellinek has shown that the natural course of alcoholism, for most alcoholics, can be divided into six stages............
