Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol Awareness Month is a public health program organized by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence as a way of increasing awareness and understanding of the causes and treatment of the nation's No. 1 public health problem: alcoholism. Alcohol has touched almost all of our lives in one way or another. The general goal of this month is to create some sort of catalyst for change and awareness. The importance of Alcohol Awareness Month A big part of Alcohol Awareness Month is to point out the stigma that still surrounds alcoholism and substance abuse in general. For many, denial is a common trait among those struggling with or affected by alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Many individuals often underestimate the amount they drink, the duration of their drinking problem, the impact it has had on their life, or overestimate their ability to control their drinking or to quit. Denial is also common among friends and family members who are uncomfortable acknowledging and accepting the gravity and reality of alcohol abuse they witness. With this in mind, Alcohol Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to increase our efforts to reach people who may not fully understand the dangers of unhealthy alcohol consumption. Programs like Alcohol Awareness Month exist to ensure that families and communities have the resources, information, and options available to positively impact and shift the crisis of alcoholism. Alcohol addiction and abuse claims thousands of lives across the country each year. Some notable statistics on alcohol addiction include: • More than 65 million Americans report binge drinking or heavy drinking in a one-month period, which is more than 40% of those who drink alcohol.• In 2019, there were 10,142 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, totaling 28% of all traffic fatalities for the year• Teen alcohol use kills 4,300 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined By making people more aware of the situation and the viable solutions, alcohol awareness month aims to reduce the pain and suffering alcohol abuse causes to people's lives. Dangers of alcohol According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to approximately 4 million emergency room and doctor visits and almost 90,000 deaths around the country annually. These instances stem from situations involving alcohol poisoning, accidents, reckless driving and vehicular fatalities, domestic violence, and drug interactions for example. In addition, one-third of suicides in the United States are alcohol related deaths. These numbers suggest that problematic alcohol use continues to plague our communities, and awareness about alcohol and its harmful effects on our lives, is necessary in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Even though it's widely available and socially acceptable to drink, we can see that alcohol is still responsible for thousands of deaths and countless injuries every year. Alcohol Use Disorder Alcohol Use Disorder is an affliction that can be observed if you use alcohol to the point where it becomes an issue. If you cannot control your urges and continue to use it even though it causes problems, you may be suffering from this. You may also start to notice withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking and an increase in your tolerance. (*If you do experience any withdrawal symptoms, we strongly suggest you seek immediate medical attention.) Binge drinking is a type of Alcohol Use Disorder. This is the consumption of excessive alcohol in a short period of time. For women this means consuming 4 drinks within 2 hours, for men, 5 drinks. This can have long term and short-term effects on your health. This is not an obvious form of alcohol abuse, mostly because it can occur as little as once a week. However, this is the most common form of Alcohol Use Disorder. Below is what is considered a single standard size drink: • 12 oz. of beer• 8 oz. of malt liquor• 5 oz. of table wine• 5 oz. of 80 proof liquor What signs to look for There are many different signs to look for when determining if someone suffers from alcohol use disorder. Some are very apparent while others require you to take notice. If you or someone you know experience any of the signs/symptoms below, it may be time to seek help.• Hangovers often accompanied by nausea, shakiness, sweating, and trouble sleeping; these are short term symptoms. (While these may seem like minor consequences, if this becomes a pattern that is sign there may be a problem.)• Missing out consistently on daily activities like work or outside interests due to hangovers or other consequences from your alcohol use.• Preoccupation with the thought of alcohol.• Planning daily activities around when alcohol can be consumed.• Unable to stop drinking due to constant cravings for alcohol. Again, if you do experience any withdrawal symptoms, we strongly suggest you seek immediate medical attention. Benefits of sobriety Sobriety isn't and won't be easy but there are some incredible benefits from putting down alcohol. Some benefits will be noticeable immediately, while others take time. However, the benefits of sobriety far outweigh the initial difficulties some experience when first getting sober. Physical Benefits • Increased general health• Improved mental clarity• Longer and deeper sleep• Healthier skin• Better weight management Mental and Emotional Benefits • Emotional stability• Improved relationships• Increased motivation• Decreased anxiety• Decreased feelings of depression Recovery from Alcohol Use DisorderBecause of how acceptable alcohol is, and how much pressure there is to drink it, seeking help for substance abuse related to alcohol and/or recovering from alcohol addiction can be extremely difficult. If you find that you are currently consuming more than what is recommended or safe, it may be time to consider reducing the amount you consume if possible or seeking help. If you determine you have a problem with alcohol, recovery is possible and professional help and support groups are available. It is important to understand that addiction is a treatable disorder. Research on the science of addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders has led to the development of research-based methods that help people to stop using substances such as alcohol and resume productive lives. Treatment from alcohol addiction can be managed successfully. Treatment enables people to counteract addiction's disruptive effects on their brain and behavior and regain control of their lives. Join the Alcohol-Free MovementWhile we recognize this is a hard topic to cover due to the social acceptance of its use, we hope that we can at least shed light on the dangers of alcohol abuse and promote the benefits of a sober lifestyle. A huge part of Alcohol Awareness Month is celebrating an Alcohol-Free Weekend. We would like to challenge our community to participate in the Alcohol-Free Weekend, April 22nd-24th. The aim of this weekend is to go 72 hours without drinking a single drop of alcohol. This may seem like a small task to some, but to others it could be almost impossible. That is the reason this weekend is so important. If it allows even one person to come to the realization that they can't go even 72 hours without alcohol, maybe that will inspire them to get some help. Please note, if you struggle with alcohol use disorder, we do not recommend you stop drinking without the guidance of a medical professional. Getting help for addiction If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse/dependency, below is a list of local treatment providers to help: • Family Life Counseling & Psychiatric Service: 567-560-3584• Firelands Counseling & Recovery Services: 419-663-3737• Oriana House, Inc.: 567-280-4023• Let's Get Real (Peer Recovery Support and Support Groups): 567-743-7130 Ashley Morrow is community engagement & resource manager for the Huron County Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services.