Alcohol and Violence. (Unit 2: Alcohol).

Consider this statistic: According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 54 percent of people convicted of violent crimes and now in state prisons had used alcohol just before committing their offense.

It's clear that alcohol and violence are connected, but questions remain: Does alcohol make people commit violent crimes? Or are people with violent tendencies simply more likely to choose a lifestyle that encourages alcohol abuse?

Alcohol affects the parts of the brain that restrain impulsive behavior. When people "loosen up" under the influence of alcohol, one of the things that sometimes gets loosened is aggressive behavior. The drinker may become angry and be ready to pick a fight.

The violence triggered by alcohol isn't always physical. It can be verbal and emotional as well. Drinkers often become verbally abusive, saying things they would never say while sober, and they may threaten to harm the people around them.

Some connections between alcohol and violence are clear: Victims of violence often abuse alcohol to block out their pain. Using alcohol also can make people more vulnerable to violent crime because it makes them less alert to danger and slows their reaction time.

The best way to stay away from alcohol-fueled violence is to stay away from alcohol. Staying away from people who drink and become violent isn't easy, especially when the people using it are in your family. If alcohol and other drugs are causing violence in your home, you will almost surely need outside help to cope with the situation. Talk to a school counselor, teacher, member of the clergy, or other adult you can trust.

Asking for help doesn't mean you're being disloyal to your family. It may not change the situation, but it can change how you cope with it. The biggest change will be that you won't have to deal with the situation alone.