April Is Alcohol Awareness Month

Last Updated on March 15, 2018

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (or NCADD) is an organization devoted to educating communities and raising awareness and offering support through recovery. By informing people of the risks involved with alcohol abuse and alcoholism, they hope to encourage responsible choices when it comes to your health. In April, this mission is carried out with Alcohol Awareness Month.

What Is Alcohol Awareness Month?

To many, the idea of “alcohol awareness” might seem silly: it’s not as if the world isn’t fully aware of the existence of alcoholic beverages. However, the NCADD has a specific mission with Alcohol Awareness Month, one they defined in the following message:

“Founded and sponsored by NCADD, Alcohol Awareness Month was established in 1987 to help reduce the stigma so often associated with alcoholism by encouraging communities to reach out to the American public each April with information about alcohol, alcoholism, and recovery.”

As a result, they promote a wide range of activities, including educational courses, prevention lessons, and other crucial outreach methods. They also report unfortunate statistics about alcohol abuse and help people get the treatment they need to succeed.

To do our part during this important time, we’re including the following information. Use it as a way to educate yourself on the dangers of alcohol and the ways you or a loved one can recover from this disease.

Alcohol Abuse Statistics

Alcohol is an addictive substance readily available for anyone of legal age. This accessibility leads to widespread usage, even before the legal age is met. Research has shown that alcohol consumption earlier in life significantly raises the likelihood of alcoholism later on.

Sadly, few teenagers realize that their “fun” nights of drinking could be setting them up for a difficult and lifelong addiction. Just look at the statistics by the NIAA for proof: they found that 90% of all people struggling with alcoholism started drinking before the age of 18.

This staggering statistic is one of many that illustrate the nation’s problems with alcohol:

• An estimated 16 million Americans struggle with alcoholism.
• According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), alcohol poisoning kills six people daily, with 75% of deaths involve adults between the age of 35-64. And alcoholism was a contributing factor in 30% of alcohol poisoning deaths from 2010 to 2012.
• The NCADD suggests that over 100,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes.
• According to the NIAAA, in 2013, nearly 25% of people 18 and older reported binge drinking in the past month.
• Alcohol abuse is the third highest cause of death in the US.
• MADD reports that teen alcohol use kills about 4,700 people each year.
• Drunk driving costs the United States about $199 billion every year.
• 11% of workforce deaths involve alcohol.
• Despite the known dangers that alcohol can bring, millions of individuals face alcoholism every day. Understanding these statistics and exploring their ramifications during Alcohol Awareness Month can help guide you or anyone you love towards a life of permanent sobriety.

Alcohol Recovery

If these statistics or anything else you learn during Alcohol Awareness Month scares you, there is help. The NCADD suggests that as many as 20 million individuals are in recovery. The recovery process is not always pleasant but is a lifesaving decision. In order to understand the benefits of recovery, it is important to analyze the facts:

• Alcoholism is a chronic condition that can be managed with treatment therapy and cessation.
• Common resources for alcoholism include education, monitored withdrawal, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication-aided treatment, rehabilitation facilities, sober living coaches, and meetings. These resources are often facilitated by a rehab center.
• In 2005, 3.9 million Americans received treatment for substance abuse problems. Of the 3.9 million, 2.5 million were treated for alcohol use.

In recovery, it is important to follow steps toward full rehabilitation. This can be best accomplished by developing a plan for relapse prevention and gathering supports. However, you might be telling yourself that you don’t have a serious problem or that you aren’t an alcoholic. Here’s how to tell.

How To Identify Alcoholism

While there may be a difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, the two are often concurrent. If you’re concerned about developing an addiction to alcohol, it is beneficial to gauge whether or not it has caused any of the following problems. If it has, you have a lot of thinking to do:

• Family, relationship, career, or legal adversity due to alcohol use
• Being told that you drink too much by loved ones
• Inability to “pace” yourself – drinking too much or too quickly
• Blacking out
• Hurting yourself or others as a result of drinking
• Drinking at inappropriate times – first thing in the morning, alone, in a car, or at work
• Drinking despite known health implications
• Making excuses or hiding your consumption and continuing to drink despite the guilt
• Anxiety when alcohol cannot be obtained
• Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol consumption is ceased, such as chills, fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, clamminess, depression, anxiety, or agitation

In April, you are likely to think more about your alcohol consumption and what it means to your quality of life. If your relationship with alcohol is a cause for concern, it is time to seek help.

Learn More About Alcohol Awareness Month

Education and awareness during this important month are important means of helping those struggling with addiction. If you are concerned that you have an addiction to alcohol, it’s important to find resources as soon as possible. The caring staff at RehabCenter.net is here to help. We can get you in touch with a rehab facility nearest you and assist in finding resources to help you along your way. Contact us today.