Building Healthy Communities by Fighting Alcoholism
April is the NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) Alcohol Awareness Month. To increase public awareness and to diminish the stigma of alcoholism, the NCADD has chosen the theme of Healthy Choices, Healthy Communities: Prevent Underage Drinking.
According to NCADD, more than 18 million Americans suffer from alcohol use disorders. Beyond that single figure there are millions more who suffer from the consequences of family members who are alcoholics.
75% of domestic abuse is committed by an intoxicated member of a family. Teens that experiment with alcohol before 15 years of age are 4 times more likely to suffer from alcohol dependence when they reach adulthood compared to those who wait until they are at least 20 years old. Events across the nation at schools, churches, colleges and community organizations will be focused on stopping alcohol abuse and helping young and old people who suffer from alcohol abuse and dependence get help.
Underage and College Drinking
The NCADD has stated that drinking is the most common drug of abuse among American youths and that 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die each year as a result of underage drinking. Another 600,000 college students are unintentionally injured each year while under the influence of alcohol. Violence, as a result of college drinking, has a direct impact upon another 700,000 students with 100,000 more finding themselves victims of sexual abuse.
Alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol related violence, victimization, death and unintentional injuries can all be arrested with proper alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence rehab programs.
