Opening Statement:
It is not uncommon to have someone in their family, close friend, schoolmate, or former schoolmate witness how alcohol can affect and ruin someone’s life and the lives of the people around them. It doesn’t take too long to notice the change in a person, the heartache of various loved ones, and the fears of the future for that person who is suffering being addicted to alcohol. Unfortunately, it takes more than a day to educate the American youth about the risks of drinking alcohol, getting drunk, and the dangers of drinking and driving. Alcohol should always be used in moderation and in my opinion the phrase “Don’t Drink and Drive” is not said enough to anyone of any age.
Sponsoring This Event:
April is National Alcohol Awareness Month and it is sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) to educate the masses about America’s #1 health problem: Alcohol Dependence. Alcohol is the causes the deaths of more than 90,000 people every year. The month of April focuses on raising awareness about alcohol abuse and dependency before it is fatal.
History Of National Alcohol Awareness Month:
1. National Alcohol Awareness Month was founded in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) as an extension to the temperance movement of the 1800s.
2. Marty Mann founded the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD). She was one of the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous and the first woman to have successfully gone through a 12-step group. She founded NCADD to help people like her get counseled and treated for alcoholism and dedicated this group to key medical and scientific research for the community. Encouraged by the massive number of families going into recovery, NCADD marked April to bring about a nationwide change by using communication tools to cultivate awareness about binge drinking and how much more dangerous it can be than just a night of fun.
3. The Council leverages traditional and social media campaigns during April to draw attention to the causes of alcoholism and the risks of alcohol dependence, and encourages people to talk about this disease. It aims to foster responsible attitudes by designating a month of candid discussions and information sharing, while reaching out to the American public via community-sponsored awareness activities and campaigns designed to prevent alcoholism.
4. Since its inception in 1987, National Alcohol Awareness Month has saved many lives from alcohol-related deaths. Some of the ways the NCADD has made it possible to fight alcoholism is by launching personalized campaigns every year, Alcohol-Free-Weekend encouraging abstinence, and seeking help for someone if they are unable to. The D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and Know Your Limits campaigns have also instilled much-needed information about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption in children from an early age.
5 Facts About Alcohol Consumption That Will Definitely Help Educate You
1. Alcohol use disorder
a. An estimated 414,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 have alcohol use disorder in the U.S.
2. Alcohol-impaired driving deaths
a. It accounts for 10,625 deaths, which is 29% of the overall driving fatalities.
3. It’s taking a toll on the economy
a. In 2010, binge-drinking-related costs reached $249 billion.
4. It makes students perform poor in academics
a. A report revealed that one in every four college students have trouble focusing on studies and receive lower grades overall.
Why National Alcohol Awareness Month Is Important
1. Denial in alcoholism is a real disease
a. Anybody suffering from substance abuse or struggling with alcoholism would deny it. They underestimate their ability to control the craving or to quit, the amount of alcohol they drink, and the impact it has had on their life. Denial is a common trait or symptom of alcoholism that must be counseled.
2. There’s a stigma surrounding alcoholism
a. What comes to your mind when you think about alcoholism? A drunk man living in rags on the streets, drinking hard liquor on the job, and appearing at the bar every night? The movies’ depiction of alcoholism is only a quarter of the truth, and this is why millions of people have trouble recognizing the problem or seeking help.
3. Alcoholism claims thousands of lives annually
a. Alcoholism is the third-leading preventable cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 90,000 people every year.
How To Observe National Alcohol Awareness Month:
1. Participate in the Alcohol-Free-Weekend
a. As part of National Alcohol Awareness Month, NCADD encourages the public to spend 72 hours without alcohol. Make sure you and your family participate in this activity and monitor symptoms of discomfort or cravings within the three days.
2. Start conversations
a. It is your role as a responsible adult to initiate the conversations that nobody is willing to talk about. Speak with your friends and families who you’ve noticed are reliant on heavy drinking. As a parent, teach your children about alcohol misuse and help them build coping skills. Tell them that stress, anger, loneliness, and peer pressure are a part of life and should not cause them to give in to liquor for relaxation.
3. Throw ‘clean’ non-alcoholic parties
a. Use the month of April to throw alcohol-free, clean, and healthy parties for adults. Invite over friends, neighbors, and family to enjoy social gatherings without any trace of liquor. Serve kombucha, mocktails, club soda, and booze-free beer to set an example. Consider doing this monthly for healthy practice!
National Alcohol Awareness Month Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the ribbon color for alcoholism?
a. The red ribbon is a symbol for the prevention of alcohol addiction and misuse.
2. What is binge drinking alcohol?
a. Binge drinking is when blood alcohol concentration comes to 0,08 g/dL, which happens when a man drinks five glasses and a woman drinks four in about two hours.
3. Is alcohol bad for health?
a. Long-term, excessive drinking of alcohol can gravely affect your health and leads to chronic diseases including high blood pressure, liver disease, digestive problems, and even cancer.
Closing Statement:
If you know someone who is on their way of becoming dependent or has become dependent on alcohol you must give them support and try to have them see that they have a problem, even if they get angry and can’t admit they have a problem. Never let someone drive if they have been drinking, or have someone go in a car with them. If possible, take their keys away and drive them home or have someone else who has not been drinking drive them home. With regards to co-workers be aware of people calling out sick too much if you know for sure that person may have an alcohol problem. Some people may think that calling attention to this matter can be confused with being a snitch to management, but it can save someone’s life or someone else’s life. Employers should give ongoing support and guidance with online seminars and group discussions concerning this issue, as well as other important and possible life threating matters.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches and Personal Family Experience
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!
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