April is Alcohol Awareness Month
The aim is to raise awareness for communities and provide resources on the causes and treatments available for one of the nation's biggest health issues. The campaign also aimed to reduce the social stigma associated with alcoholism and to educate people on how the disease can be addressed; offering help and advice for families as well as direct engagement with those afflicted with alcohol addiction.
Why is alcohol awareness month important?
Alcohol addiction and abuse is not only a considerable burden on government spending, it also claims thousands of lives across the country each year and these other issues:
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More than 65 million Americans report binge drinking or heavy drinking in a one-month period, which is more than 40% of those who drink alcohol
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In 2018, there were 10,511 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, totaling 29% of all traffic fatalities for the year
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Teen alcohol use kills 4,700 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined.
- Alcohol can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight and can increase unsafe sexual behavior.
- Alcohol can also make it harder to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, pain, sleep disorders.
- Research has shown that people who misuse alcohol have a greater risk of liver disease, heart disease, depression, stroke, and stomach bleeding, as well as several cancers (cancers of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, pharynx, liver, colon, and rectum).
Check Your Drinking. Make a Plan to Drink Less.
Drinking too much alcohol can be harmful. Everyone can benefit from drinking less alcohol or not drinking at all. This tool checks your drinking and can give advice. If you want to drink less, it can also help you build a plan to make healthier choices.
Some questions may be sensitive. Any information you provide is for your personal use only. Your information will not be stored or shared.
This tool is for adults 18 years or older. It is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Estimated Completion Time: 5 - 10 mins
