Alcohol is a problem for nearly six million women in the U.S. who abuse or are dependent upon the substance. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University announced these statistics this month as part of Alcohol Awareness Month.
Long-term alcohol use can wreak havoc on every part of your body, including your brain. Alcohol dependence (commonly called alcoholism) is a progressive disease that includes cravings for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, and a negative emotional state when you’re not drinking. Alcoholism doesn’t discriminate; it affects people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic …