Binge drinking and alcohol abuse affects many people in the United States and worldwide. Understanding the risks and consequences of alcohol abuse, how and where to seek treatment, and how to support others can help prevent some of the potential dangers. One way to do this is to get involved with Alcohol Awareness Month in April 2024.
The importance of Alcohol Awareness Month
Alcohol Awareness Month, which takes place every April, was created in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD). The idea behind Alcohol Awareness Month is to spread information, teaching people about the risks and consequences of alcohol abuse, as well as available prevention and treatment interventions. [1]
During Alcohol Awareness Month, various education programs and support groups take place, which are mostly aimed at young people, as this is a common time for people to begin engaging in harmful drinking behaviors. Alongside programs aiming to increase understanding and awareness are various opportunities to raise funds for resources, facilities, and education around alcohol abuse. [1][2]
According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted in the US by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: [3][4]
- 753,000 (2.9%) people aged 12-17 meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- 16.4% of 18-25 year-olds meet the criteria for AUD
- 28.8 million adults aged 18+ (11.2%) have AUD
Statistics gathered by the World Health Organization (WHO) show that: [5]
- 3 million deaths per year (5.3% of all deaths) are due to alcohol abuse
- 13.5% of all deaths among people aged 20-39 are alcohol-related
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that over 1500 college students per year die from alcohol-related accidents. [4]
Alcohol Awareness Month is important as it can help to prevent or reduce some of the harmful effects of binge drinking and alcohol abuse.Â
How to get involved with Alcohol Awareness Month
You can get involved with Alcohol Awareness Month in several ways, including: [1][6][7]
- Have a sober weekend: Whether you do this alone or with family and friends, Alcohol Awareness Month is a good time to abstain from alcohol for one day, a weekend, or the whole month of April. Taking a break from alcohol can provide many physical, mental, and social benefits. It can be a good opportunity to gain a better understanding of the effects of alcohol and to show support to people who are in recovery or experiencing alcohol use disorder.
- Host an alcohol-free party: Throw a party and invite family and friends to engage in sober activities. You could learn how to make alcohol-free cocktails, share experiences and support, or raise funds for alcohol-related charities and resources.
- Educate yourself: Learn more about the dangers of alcohol abuse, how to know if your drinking habits are becoming problematic, how to support others, and where to go for help. Various resources are available to help with this, including Rethinking Drinking.
- Spread awareness: Use your knowledge and understanding to help spread awareness about the dangers of alcohol abuse. You can discuss this with children and teens within your community and with your family and friends, providing education and support to those who may be vulnerable or unsure of their options.
- Volunteer: You could offer your time to workshops, fundraising events, or support phone lines to help organizations during Alcohol Awareness Month.
- Share your experiences: If you have experienced the consequences of alcohol abuse, either yourself or with a loved one, and feel willing to, you could share your story with others at an event or online. This can help people currently experiencing AUD or going through recovery and may provide the inspiration they need to seek help.
Resources to promote alcohol awareness
Here at Recovered you can find additional information about alcohol abuse, including the warning signs of AUD, treatment options, withdrawal and detox, and recovery.Â
Many other resources are available to discover more about the risks, consequences, prevention, and treatment of AUD.Â
Information
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
NIAAA provides information on alcohol treatment, including an Alcohol Treatment Navigator and a Treatment Guide, both of which can be found at www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/support-treatment.Â
NIAAA also provides a service called Rethinking Drinking, which can be found at www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIDA provides information about drug and alcohol abuse, harm reduction, prevention, and treatment. www.nida.nih.gov/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA provides information about alcohol and substance use disorders and mental health issues. They provide a helpline service, which can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
SAMHSA also helps people find nearby services and treatment options at www.findtreatment.gov/
Support Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
AA is a global organization that can be accessed by individuals within the US to attend meetings and receive advice and support with their alcohol use and recovery. www.aa.org
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery provides programs and meetings to support individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders. www.smartrecovery.org
Al-Anon
Al-Anon hosts meetings to support individuals who have a parent or family member with an alcohol use disorder. www.al-anon.org
Alateen
Alateen is a subset of Al-Anon and provides support for teenage family members of people with an alcohol use disorder. www.al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen
Women for Sobriety
Women for Sobriety provides support via meetings and programs to women overcoming alcohol and substance use disorders. www.womenforsobriety.org
Charity organizations for alcohol-related causes
In the US there are many charities and non-profit organizations that provide support for drug and alcohol-related issues.Â
National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA)
NACoA works with children and families who are affected by addiction. They advocate for, support, and improve the welfare of children who are living with or coping with a parent or relative’s alcohol or substance abuse.
Rosecrance Foundation
The Rosecrance Foundation is an organization that aims to help promote alcohol and substance abuse recovery. They raise funds through donations that support individuals seeking treatment and provide ongoing assistance to people throughout recovery.
Foundation for Alcoholism Research (FAR)
The Foundation for Alcoholism Research is an organization that aims to improve understanding of alcohol use disorder and the possible prevention and treatment options. Through donations, they can offer grants to universities and scientists investigating alcohol-related matters such as potential medication treatments.Â
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Mothers Against Drunk Driving aims to end substance- or alcohol-related car accidents through education, technology, and advocacy. They also provide support to people affected by drunk driving accidents.
Herren Project
The Herren Project aims to help people affected by alcohol and substance use disorders. They provide education programs, prevention and treatment resources, and support with recovery.
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