The biggest problem is that there is a huge part of the society that is defined as Functional Alcoholics. That means that they're still able to go about their normal activities. They still continuously drink while going about their day just like anyone else. Theses people usually have great jobs, and a family as well. They provide for their families and work is the main source of income. In order to seek treatment it would be best if jobs were able to provide family support payments while their family member was getting treatment. Also, while getting treatment it would be beneficial if it was classified as a medical leave. Alcoholism is a disease, and should be treated like one as well. Another thing that would be beneficial would to advertise programs for alcoholics and families that are involved with an addict. Programs such as AA, Alanon, and Adult children of Alcoholisms. Theses programs are designed to help with addiction. Alcoholism effects everyone around that person carrying the disease. If we could provide these programs to people it could decrease numbers. It could also help with treatment. The main thing is people need to want the change in order to accept the treatment. They need to realize that life is not a waste, and everything eventually does get better.

Hopefully others will feel as strongly about this topic as I do. I would really love it if getting treatment was easier to receive. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1446400/pdf/11076256.pdf

Found this article that gives a few statistics and data about alcoholism. It was very interesting to understand that 50% of alcoholism is genetic