If you are among the millions of people in this country who have a parent, grandparent, or other close relative with alcoholism, you may have wondered what your family's history of alcoholism means for you. (more).

Stressful events can have a direct affect on the use of alcohol or other drugs. Stress is a major contributor to the initiation and continuation of addiction to alcohol or other drugs, as well as to relapse or a return to drug use after periods of abstinence (more).

Adolescents who begin drinking alcohol before age 14 have a nearly 50% risk of becoming alcohol dependent in adulthood (more).

While some parents may feel relieved that their teen is "only" drinking, it's important to remember that alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug. Not only can alcohol affect the mind and body in unpredictable ways, teens typically lack the judgment and coping skills to handle alcohol wisely (more).

Alcoholics Anonymous has a supportive 12-step program to help people overcome alcoholism. Since its founding in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has provided help to millions of men and women who once drank to excess, were finally able to acknowledge they could not handle alcohol, and, through the support of AA's Fellowship, found a new, healthier way of life that excluded drinking (more).