For the Media/Press Release

Is = your guard=20 up during the holidays? (U.S.)

The = holiday season=20 usually puts families and friends of problem drinkers on = guard. It=92s=20 difficult to relax and enjoy yourself when you=92re waiting for a = crisis to=20 start.

In the = U.S. there are=20 18 million problem drinkers, according to the National Institute = on=20 Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. According to commonly accepted = health-care provider estimates, each alcoholic adversely affects = the lives=20 of an estimated four-to-ten people. The number of impacted = Americans=20 is between 72 million and 180 million men, women, and = children.

Since = holidays tend=20 to exaggerate situations in the office, at home, and on the = highway,=20 tragedies can occur very quickly. Al-Anon World Service = Office=20 Information Analyst Nicolette Stephens explained, =93People whose = loved ones=20 are problem drinkers tend to suffer anxiety whether or not actual=20 tragedies occur. Spending the holidays with your guard up is = not=20 exactly the same as having a great time.=94 Stephens added, = =93To help=20 the drinker, you may need to help yourself first.=94

More than = 16,000=20 Al-Anon Family Groups throughout the U.S. and Canada welcome = anyone who=20 has been affected by someone else=92s drinking. For = information about=20 an Al-Anon meeting in [insert name of local city or community], = call=20 [insert local Al-Anon phone #], or during business hours (ET) call = 1-888-4AL-ANON. On the Web, visit=20 www.Al-AnonFamilyGroups.org

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