Alcohol Awareness Month

The month of April recognizes and brings awareness about alcohol abuse and the issues that are faced with the misuse of it. The purpose is to promote understanding of its causes and treatment options, as well as to reduce the stigma around alcohol abuse. According the the dietary guidelines for Americans, up to one drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks for men is considered moderate drinking. If the amount of alcohol raises one’s blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 or higher this is known as binge drinking. The misuse of alcohol can lead to harmful consequences. Symptoms of alcohol abuse can be assessed by a health professional, when one’s drinking leads to distress or harm. Some health conditions that can result because of alcohol abuse can include injuries (car accident, falls, suicides, burns and more) as well as increased risk for liver disease, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and mental health problems including depression. Alcohol abuse can also lead to birth defects if a pregnant women consumes alcohol.
Get involved in alcohol awareness month and look after those around you. If you have concerns about the level of your drinking and whether it is a problem, there is a free questionnaire to help you assess, from the Council on Substance Abuse: https:// www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/How-much-is-too-much/Whats-the-harm/WhatAre-Symptoms-Of-Alcohol-Use-Disorder.aspx. If you or someone you know would like additional information on alcohol abuse, check out the resources below. There are many outlets available on the internet, through your health professional and in your community for assistance on alcohol abuse:
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/alcohol-drug-hotline
For more information and the source click here: https://cosancadd.org