Many alcoholics are highly successful in their work and careers.
1
Many of them do, yes.
18,000
20 millon
It depends upon the study and who is doing the study. Most suggest 5 - 10% of Americans are Alcoholics.
Estimates range between 15,000,000 - 30,000,000 alcoholics in the US, depending on how one defines alcoholism. Generally speaking, alcoholics seem to run in the 5 - 10% range of the population in areas of the world where alcohol is commonly consumed.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Actual statistics are hard to come by, because many alcoholics do not cooperate with surveys. It is generally accepted in the treatment field that potential alcoholics (people who are likely to become alcoholics if they drink excessively) make up between 7 and 10% of the population in Western countries. Please note the word "if." A person who never drinks alcohol will not become an alcoholic, regardless of potential.
Most alcoholics never face this problem, which typically takes many decades of heavy abusive drinking.
78% of them are alcoholics.
No, alcoholics crave alcohol.