Author: Charles Frank
Understanding the Importance of Alcohol Awareness Month RCA
Studies show that the earlier an individual starts smoking, drinking or using other drugs, the greater the likelihood of developing addiction. 9 out of 10 people who abuse or are addicted to nicotine, alcohol or other drugs began using these substances before they were 18. People who began using addictive substances before age 15 are nearly 7 times likelier to develop a substance problem than those who delay first use until age 21 or older. Every year that substance use is delayed during the period of adolescent brain development, the risk of addiction and substance abuse decrease. Since its inception, Alcohol Awareness Month has helped many individuals struggling with alcoholism.
The various campaigns, such as Alcohol-Free Weekend, DARE, and Know Your Limits, have helped educate children and adults about the dangers of alcohol and promote responsible drinking habits. They’ve encouraged candid discussions and information sharing about alcoholism and urged people to seek help. Through these efforts, Alcohol Awareness Month has helped to save many lives from alcohol-related deaths and continues to be an essential tool in the fight against alcoholism. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious issues that affect your quality of life, physical and mental health. Prevention strategies targeting the root of the problem are essential to curb drug use and help people lead healthier lives. Early intervention helps prevent substance abuse and reduce the negative consequences of addiction before they occur.
The program was started in April 1987 with the intention of targeting college-aged students who might be drinking too much as part of their newfound freedom. It has since become a national movement to draw more attention to the causes and effects of alcoholism as well as how to help families and communities deal with drinking problems. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes. This October marks the second annual National Substance Abuse Prevention Month – an observance to highlight the vital role of substance abuse prevention in both individual and community health and to remember those who have lost their lives to substance abuse. The Office of National Drug Control Policy joins President Obama in celebrating National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and encourages prevention efforts this month and all year long to ensure the health of teens and young adults. During Alcohol Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that seeking help for alcohol addiction is a brave and necessary step toward recovery.
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Marty Mann, one of the first women to find sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded the NCADD. Mann realized the importance of educating individuals and communities about alcoholism and its effects and started the NCADD to support and promote scientific research on the topic. Therefore, the goal of Alcohol Awareness Month is to encourage individuals to understand the impact of alcohol misuse and to seek help before it becomes fatal.
At RCA, we offer a range of evidence-based treatments and therapies to support recovery, including individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and medication-assisted treatment. With this in mind, Alcohol Awareness Month gives public health bodies, community centers, and treatment facilities the chance to increase their efforts to reach people who may not fully appreciate the dangers of unhealthy alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol consumption can have harmful effects on physical and mental health, as well as social and economic well-being.
The Prevalence of Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism in the U.S.
Alcohol Awareness Month is a reminder that recovery is possible with the proper support and resources. Reach out to RCA or another professional resource for help quitting alcohol use and starting on the path to recovery. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare workers, law enforcement professionals, educators and school staff, and policy makers. As a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers, a nationwide provider of treatment facilities, Alcohol.org will also be showcasing the cost alcoholism and addiction can have on your life throughout the entire month of April. We’ll be helping give a real glimpse into how it can affect your mental and physical health, financial well-being, relationships (family and friends), and what it could mean for your current and future career.
They may also be shunned by friends and family members who do not understand or accept their condition.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects approximately 15 million adults in the United States.
- Marty Mann, one of the first women to find sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded the NCADD.
- The various campaigns, such as Alcohol-Free Weekend, DARE, and Know Your Limits, have helped educate children and adults about the dangers of alcohol and promote responsible drinking habits.
- Public health efforts, such as Alcohol Awareness Month, can help raise awareness about the risks of alcohol addiction and provide support for those in need.
Offers perspectives on the intersections between trauma, caregiver substance use, parenting, and prenatal substance use exposure. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Individuals with AUD may be discriminated against in the workplace or denied opportunities because of their addiction.
Engaging Adolescents in Treatment (Tips for Mental Health Professionals)
Programs like Alcohol Awareness Month exist to ensure that families and communities have the resources, information, and options available to control the crisis of alcoholism. Mentally, it can negatively affect mood and behavior and increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Alcoholism is also known to cause long-term mental health issues like alcohol-induced psychosis, hallucinations, and delirium tremens. They may feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit they have a problem and fear being judged or ostracized by others. As a result, they may avoid seeking help and continue to struggle with their addiction, which can lead to serious health problems and even death.
Helping Your Teen Cope with Traumatic Stress and Substance Abuse
Offers an introduction to issues regarding engaging adolescents in treatment that providers must consider when treating adolescents with symptoms of both traumatic stress and substance use. Offers parents and caregivers information to help support their surviving children after a the death of a sibling due to substance use or overdose. This year, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) will be hosting the 10th annual National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) from March 30 through April 5, 2020. Full of educational events across the week, NDAFW will focus on educating teens and families on the myths of substance abuse and addiction with the help on industry experts.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects approximately 15 million adults in the United States. Youth.gov is the U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. Included are youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources, search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news.
Provides background statistics on trauma and substance abuse, describes the risk factor interactions between trauma and substance abuse, and outlines challenges to care and possible solutions. Binge drinking is often thought of as a rite of passage, and many fraternities and sororities use alcohol in hazing rituals that often turn deadly. College administrations and state governments are turning to “creative prevention strategies” to address the epidemic, and Alcohol Awareness Month gives them the platform to spread the message.
In the United States, more than 140,000 people per year die from alcohol misuse, making it one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Alcohol misuse is linked to more than 200 disease and injury-related conditions, meaning alcohol misuse contributes substantially to health care costs and lost productivity and affects people’s health in ways that they may not realize. April was chosen as Alcohol Awareness Month to raise awareness about the dangers of binge drinking and to encourage responsible attitudes toward alcohol. During the month of April, NCADD uses traditional and social media campaigns to draw attention to the causes and risks of heavy drinking. The campaigns aim to educate people about the harmful effects of alcohol and to encourage individuals to seek help before it becomes fatal. Alcohol Awareness Month is a public health program organized by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence as a way of increasing outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and issues related to alcohol.