With this and other National Health Observance toolkits offered on healthfinder.gov, we’ve made it easier for you to make a difference. The toolkits provide resources for organizations like schools, health care practices, and health departments to raise awareness about critical public health issues, like the health risks of drinking too much alcohol. April is designated as Alcohol Awareness Month, serving as a reminder of the importance of alcohol education and prevention efforts, particularly among youth. This observance provides an opportune moment for parents, educators, and community leaders to intensify their efforts to educate teens about the dangers of alcohol consumption. Activities and campaigns during Alcohol Awareness Month can reinforce the message that underage drinking is not a rite of passage but a risky behavior that can have serious health and legal consequences. By leveraging this annual observance, communities can foster a culture of awareness and prevention, encouraging teens to make informed decisions about alcohol use.
- Find up-to-date statistics on lifetime drinking, past-year drinking, past-month drinking, binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, and high-intensity drinking.
- The Alcohol Treatment Navigator walks individuals through the process of finding treatment options and recovery resources.
- April is designated as Alcohol Awareness Month, serving as a reminder of the importance of alcohol education and prevention efforts, particularly among youth.
- NCADD estimates that almost 20 million individuals and family members are living life in long-term recovery!
- Binge drinking is consuming four drinks or more for women and five drinks or more for men on a single occasion.
Whether you plan to post the memes for the weekly themes or want to engage partners in submitting an opinion editorial about the importance of strong alcohol policy safeguards, or both, the toolkit is here to help you. From local coalitions to state public health departments and prevention coordinators, these materials have been designed with you in mind. Sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), Alcohol Awareness Month encourages community organizations to host events that increase public awareness and educate people about the treatment and prevention of alcoholism.
Department Provides Awards to Twelve Local Community Organizations to Address Health Disparities
NIAAA has some interactive resources to help you examine your drinking patterns further and, if needed, recognize and search for quality care. “Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in New York, but this type of cancer can be treated effectively when found early,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Regular screenings that can detect polyps before they become cancerous are critical to preventing cancer. The Department is working with local organizations to ensure all New Yorkers have the opportunity to be screened.” (March 28, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health is encouraging all adults age 45 and older to get screened for colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Almost 3,000 New Yorkers die from the disease every year, according to the New York State Cancer Registry.
Find out how many people have alcohol use disorder in the United States across age groups and demographics. The Northwest PTTC is excited to bring these resources to communities in Region 10 and throughout the rest of the PTTC Network. We encourage our prevention partners to use the materials to raise awareness around the weekly themes to observe April as National Alcohol Awareness Month. NIAAA supports and conducts research on the impact of alcohol use on human health and well-being. While national figures show a downward trend in the number of young people who use alcohol, alcohol remains the number one drug of choice for America’s youth, and is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined. That’s why it’s important to get involved in Alcohol Awareness Month, observed annually throughout April.
Alcohol & Your Health
By raising awareness about alcohol misuse and abuse, communities, organizations, and health professionals can take action to prevent it, both at home and in the community. 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.
What month is Alcohol Awareness Month?
Either directly or indirectly, we all feel the effects of aggressive behavior, property damage, injuries, violence, and deaths that can result from underage drinking. Understanding the impact of alcohol misuse is crucial in recognizing its potential risks and long-term health implications. This discussion aims to shed light on how alcohol affects the body and mind, emphasizing the urgency for awareness and preventative measures. Over the past 20 years, prevention efforts have made steady progress in reducing alcohol misuse among youth and young adults due to comprehensive evidence-based approaches by communities, states, and federal partners. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, between 2002 and 2020, current drinking by adolescents and young adults has declined. Among 12- to 17-year-olds, current drinking declined from 34.6 percent in 2002 to 18.5 percent in 2020, and among 18- to 25-year-olds it declined from 77.9 percent to 69.5 percent during the same period.
Individuals may struggle to remember recent events or learn new information, significantly affecting their daily functioning. Each month we highlight National Health Observances (NHOs) that align with our mission to improve health in the United States. In April, we’re raising awareness about minority health, alcohol awareness, and celebrating public health. Alcohol Awareness Month is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the dangers of alcohol and the effects and causes of alcohol use disorder. Governor Whitmer’s office is available to assist Michiganders with matters pertaining to a state government department and agencies. To share an opinion with the Governor’s office or to request assistance with matters pertaining to state government, please follow the link below.
Alcohol misuse can also lead to many mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or even self-harm. Furthermore, it can complicate the treatment of other diagnoses, such as bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alcoholism in a patient with one or more of these mental disorders is a complication known as Dual Diagnosis.
The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator can help you recognize and find high quality treatment for alcohol use disorder. If you drink excessively, seek medical help to plan a safe recovery as sudden abstinence can be life threatening. NIAAA’s Rethinking Drinking can help you assess your drinking habits and provides information to help you cut back or stop drinking. NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month encourages organizations and communities to reach out to the public with information about alcohol use and alcoholism as a preventable disease and encourages people who are already addicted to seek treatment.
During the month, the NCADD and other national public health organizations encourage community organizations and healthcare professionals to hold events and offer alcohol-related education materials. I also encourage you to take a close look at Rethinking Drinking and the Alcohol Treatment Navigator to learn more about AUD and how to find quality care to address it. Most adults in the United States who drink alcohol drink moderately and without complications. At the same time, alcohol-related problems are among the most significant public health issues in the country. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects about 15 million adults in the United States, and an estimated 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the nation.
Most of us are familiar with the link between some lifestyle behaviors and cancer—like smoking or physical inactivity. But some people may be surprised that alcohol consumption is also a risk factor for cancer, and that these lifestyle factors combined contribute to as much as 40% of cancers. Given that half of U.S. adults i need help dealing with my angry and alcoholic mother drink alcohol, it’s important to understand how alcohol use increases the risk of cancer. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes.
Screening was much less likely to be reported by those newly eligible (45 – 49 years of age), individuals who are Hispanic, who have lower household incomes, and those without health insurance or a regular health care provider. 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. The risk of cancer what is holistic addiction treatment increases with the number of drinks consumed, and even one drink a day increases the risk of developing some cancers. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that if you drink alcohol at all, drink in moderation (up to 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men). Some people shouldn’t drink alcohol at all, including people younger than age 21, women who are or might be pregnant, and people on certain medications.