Alcohol Awareness Month Celebrates Rehab as the Answer
Alcohol Awareness Month Celebrates Rehab as the Answer
The month of April is more than just rain showers. April is also known as Alcohol Awareness Month. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) created it to raise awareness about alcohol and the negative consequences from drinking too much. Its goal is to educate the nation about the disease of alcoholism and promoting treatment and intervention.
The Facts: Causes for Alcoholism
People across the country are misinformed about alcoholism. Many don’t know the extent of the problem or consequences from drinking. However, the NCADD and other supporting organizations around the country are spreading the facts about this disease.
Many people believe that alcoholics choose to be addicted or are morally weak. People don’t realize that alcoholism is a chronic disease. Those struggling with alcohol addiction do not choose to be addicted. Their drinking habit does not mean that they have no willpower. Alcohol rewires the brain and soon enough, the person’s body can’t function without it. Even if the person tries to stop drinking cold turkey, they experience painful, unpleasant alcohol withdrawal symptoms that may be fatal.
People who struggle with an alcohol problem don’t choose this path. Many factors that play a role in their likelihood of developing an alcohol addiction.
These Risk Factors Include:
- Family history
- Mental health
- Environment
The Facts: Consequences
Many people believe that the amount of alcohol they drink doesn’t put them in danger. Just because you don’t drink every day doesn’t mean you are not causing damage. Binge drinking is harmful to your body even if you only do it on the weekends. Your heart takes a beating from your drinking habit, whether you drink a lot over a period of time or binge drink in one sitting.
Consequences include:
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Stroke
Heavy drinking can also damage your liver and pancreas. Your immune system is weakened and your risk for developing certain cancers increases.
Aside from physical consequences, heavy drinking negatively impacts your life in other ways.
Negative Impacts from Drinking:
- Mental health
- Relationships with family and friends
- Job performance
- Finances
- Legal Issues
The Facts: Prevalence
Alcoholism doesn’t affect only one type of person. You can’t look at a person and know if they have a problem with alcohol. Mother, fathers, sisters, brothers, teachers and doctors alike can struggle with an alcohol problem without anyone knowing.
Millions of American struggle with alcohol. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 18 million Americans meet the diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder. However, only 13 percent of these people seek treatment for their alcohol problem.
The Facts: Rehab and Treatment
The best way to treat alcoholism is with professional alcohol rehab and treatment. This means going to alcohol detox and alcohol rehab. You need both to prepare for your recovery. Alcohol detox only removes the toxins in your body. Your best option is going to a treatment facility that offers both detox and rehab to avoid interruption of services and reduces your risk of relapse.
The entire month of April is devoted to alcohol awareness and April 11 is National Alcohol Screening Day. Take the time to find out more, for yourself or your loved ones. These efforts help reduce the instance of alcoholism and unnecessary illnesses and deaths. So spread the word and educate yourself and others.