Alcohol Awareness Month happens every April to raise awareness about the dangers of alcoholism and its consequences on people of all ages as well as the community they live in.
It is a public health outreach program that seeks to educate and provide services to those affected by alcohol directly or indirectly, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
The first Alcohol Awareness Month occurred in April 1987 and was aimed at college-aged students who are typically away from their parents for the first time. Students often experiment with alcohol and even binge drinking. The goal is to educate the public about the causes of alcoholism and how it affects families and communities.
Why Alcohol Awareness Month Matters
There remains a stigma for people who abuse alcohol and other substances, but hopefully that can change as more people become aware of how easily it happens. Just a few drinks here and there can lead to a dangerous habit. Alcoholism is a disease and it is extremely difficult to stop once someone is addicted to drinking.
One of the common traits shared among those who struggle with alcohol and substance abuse is denial. They must first recognize that they have a problem before they can make changes to correct it.
First of all, these are people who often underestimate how much they drink, the duration of their drinking problem, the impact it has had on their life. Also, they tend to overestimate their means or ability to control their drinking or to finally quit.
Additionally, the friends and family members of alcoholics tend to be uncomfortable acknowledging the gravity and reality of the situation. In some cases, there is fear of domestic violence and those who drink an drive are a threat to everyone on our roads.
Alcohol Dependence and Outreach
The purpose of Alcohol Awareness Month is to help reach out to those struggling with addiction by having programs available through public health organizations, community centers, and access to treatment facilities. The goal is to reach more people by educating them about the dangers of unhealthy alcohol consumption.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence’s (NCADD) National Network of Affiliates will launch campaigns on social and traditional media in April. Specifically, the campaigns will target areas such as college campuses. National surveys show that 55 percent of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 years old drink alcohol at least once a month. Also, roughly 4 out of 10 students engaged in binge drinking in the past month and nearly 10 percent are heavy drinkers.
They want to draw attention to the causes of alcoholism, signs and effects of the condition and how to talk to a loved one about a drinking problem.
Anyone who is struggling with this should know there are many treatment options available to people suffering from alcoholism. Families and communities can take steps toward helping their loved ones and friends to get help.
Economic Cost of Alcoholism on Society
The total economic cost of alcohol use disorder is estimated to be $249 billion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, roughly $27 billion of that figure is just for healthcare costs. Finally, the projected economic impact to society is about $807 per person each year, the CDC said.
Let’s finally put an end the crisis of alcoholism.
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