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This episode is hosted by psychotherapist and bestselling author Amy Morin. Now let's get into the episode.

Okay. Right now, one in five deaths for people between 20 and 49 is related to alcohol.

I hate that so many people are dying from something that we've not only made legal, but a drug that we've glorified.

We don't do that with other drugs. We ban commercials that make smoking look cool. We don't allow TV characters to smoke. Yet, we turn cases of beer into football displays in the grocery store,

and we create music, movies, commercials, and TV shows that still

send the message that everyone drinks and it's harmless to do so. Although many people can drink

in moderation and it doesn't create problems for them, alcohol is a drug and there are always risks

associated with consuming it. I'm hoping someday soon, we'll take the risks alcohol poses a lot more seriously.

Unfortunately, many people are now just discovering how dangerous alcohol is for themselves,

and they're having difficulty quitting. Every January, a lot of people attempt what's known as

dry January, and they quickly realize that they can't stop drinking. In fact, some people discover

just how dangerous it is to quit cold turkey, as regular drinkers might even die from withdrawal

if they stop drinking too fast. If you want to stop drinking and you're physically dependent on

alcohol, talk to your doctor about your options. There are medications that can help you

safely detox from alcohol on an

outpatient or an inpatient basis. And if you have a problematic relationship with alcohol,

there are lots of treatment options available. Different treatments work for different people.

There are medications that can help with cravings, their support groups, education groups,

therapy, inpatient rehab, intensive

outpatient services, and even sober coaches. Most people mix and match a few services until they

discover what works for them. Keep in mind that many people with substance use disorders also have

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