Today, alcohol abuse and alcoholism are a major public health problem in North America, costing that region`s inhabitants US$170 billion annually. Alcoholism is a life-threatening problem that often ends in death, particularly through liver, pancreatic, or kidney disease, internal bleeding, brain deterioration, alcohol poisoning and suicide. Alcohol consumption by a pregnant mother can also lead to fetal alcohol syndrome in the unborn child, an uncurable and damaging illness.