With an estimated 14 million Americans into the bad habit of abusing alcohol or drinking to such an extent that they have become alcoholics there is no wonder that more and more marriages break ups are related to alcohol abuse or addiction.

The breakdown of relationships due to excessive drinking is becoming an increasingly common marriage problem with the bad habit often leading to physical abuse.

Play it smart during weekends and holidays. If you plan to party away from home -- and this includes on the water -- be sure to appoint a designated driver for the car or operator of the boat. Whatever you do, don't get behind the wheel if you've been drinking.

Alcohol abuse or even worse alcohol dependence is a serious problem that can not only cause chronic health issues (such as liver damage, brain damage or, if you are pregnant, harm your unborn child), but can totally change a person’s character with abusers more likely to become thoughtless or violent towards their partner or spouse. Alcohol abuse is one bad habit that you have to break!

A driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10 or greater is seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash than is a driver who has not consumed alcoholic beverages, and a driver with an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or greater is about 25 times more likely.

Although alcohol abusers aren’t physically dependant on alcohol they are far more likely to go that stage further and become alcohol dependant. Excessive consumption of alcohol causes or aggravates marriage problems, problems at work and problems with health.

Alcohol abuse is a bad habit that can lead to financial issues, social issues and dangerous actions such as driving while under the influence. Alcohol abuse is one of those bad habits that can totally change a person’s personality and lead to the abuser physically harming their spouse or child.

Employees who were in serious trouble with alcohol showed significant improvement in drinking behavior and job adjustment during the months immediately following an intervention to confront problem drinking that was intruding on their work.

Like with many bad habits the earlier you break the habit of alcohol abuse the easier it is to stop, the less likely you are to destroy your marriage, harm your baby, ruin your health or lose your job.

Living with an alcoholic or an alcohol abuser is and ugly experience, full of fear resentment and hate. Most partners who break free from a marriage of three (husband, wife and booze), wish that they had done so years before. Alcohol abuse is one of those common marriage problems that can only be resolved through the action of the abuser and that is to kick the bad habit now, before it’s too late to save your marriage, your family, your job and your life.

The short and long term consequences that arise from underage alcohol consumption are astonishing in their range and magnitude, affecting adolescents, the people around them, and society as a whole.