Alcoholism is a serious disease.
酗酒是一种严重的疾病。
Nearly nine million Americans alone suffer from the illness.
单单在美国，就有近九百万人备受这一疾病的困扰。
Many scientists disagree about what the differences are between an alcohol addict and a social drinker.
关于酒精成瘾者与社交饮酒者之间的区别，许多科学家各持己见。
The difference occurs when someone needs to drink,
当人需要喝酒的时候，这种区别便会显现出来，
and this need gets in the way of his health or behavior.
而饮酒的需要则会阻碍人的健康或行为。
Alcohol causes a loss of judgment and alertness.
酒精使人失去判断力和警觉性。
After a long period, alcoholism can deteriorate the liver, the brain and other parts of the body.
长时间酗酒会损坏肝脏、大脑以及身体其他部位。
The illness is dangerous, because it is involved in half of all automobile accidents.
这种疾病非常危险，因为一半的机动车事故都与之息息相关。
Another problem is that the victim often denies being an alcohol addict and won't get help.
另一个问题是，受害者经常否认自己是酒精成瘾者，并拒绝接受帮助。
Solutions do exist.
解决方法并非没有。
Many hospitals and centers help patients cope.
许多医院和医疗中心都会帮助病人应对这个问题。
Without the assistance, the victim can destroy his life.
如果没有帮助，受害者将因此毁了自己的生活。
He would detach himself from the routines of life.
他可能会脱离原有的生活轨道。
He may lose his employment, home or loved ones.
他可能会失去工作、家庭或者爱人。
All the causes of the sickness are not discovered yet.
但目前，人们并未发现酗酒的全部原因。
There is no standard for a person with alcoholism.
一个人是否酗酒，没有一个统一的标准。
Victims range in age, race, sex and background.
受害者有着不同的年龄、种族、性别和生活背景。
Some groups of people are more vulnerable to the illness.
一些群体更容易受到这种疾病的伤害。
People from broken homes and North American Indians are two examples.
比如家庭破裂的人群和北美洲印第安人。
People from broken homes often lack stable lives.
家庭破裂的人通常没有稳定的生活。
Indians likewise had their traditional life taken from them
类似地，印第安人被白人定居者剥夺了传统的生活，
by white settlers who often encourage them to consume alcohol to prevent them from fighting back.
因为白人为了防止他们反击，经常鼓励他们饮酒。
The problem has now been passed on.
如今，这个问题遗留了下来。
Alcoholism is clearly present in society today.
很显然，酗酒在当今社会依然存在。
People have started to get help and information.
人们已经开始寻求帮助，获取相关信息。
With proper assistance, victims can put their lives together one day.
有了恰当的帮助，受害者终有一天可以团结在一起。