Alcohol Awareness Month
Part One
“I’ve never seen anyone drink themselves smart, successful or happy. Most end up broke, bitter and alone.” ~Unknown
April is National Alcohol Awareness Month which was started in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (NCADD). The purpose of this awareness campaign is to eliminate the stigma associated with alcoholism and to share knowledge and hope of the ability to recover from alcohol abuse with local communities. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism is a problem that millions of Americans struggle with each and every day. The cost of excessive alcohol use weighs heavily our country as millions upon millions of dollars are wasted or consumed in the form of lost production, lost wages, medical expenses, legal & court cost not to mention damage to property and loss of life. Chances are, as adults, we all know a friend or family member who drinks to excess and often ends up in a situation that is often uncomfortable or embarrassing.
Alcohol in the form of beverages has been around for thousands of years and is ingrained as part of our everyday life and culture. One is hard pressed to watch a program on television without seeing alcohol playing some role within the program in some way either through advertising or as a method of “taking the edge off” a situation. We see enticing ads and images everywhere so we as a society are desensitized to the idea that drinking alcohol can be harmful and the effects of that harm. But what is the threshold? What is harmful and where is the line of safe consumption versus excessive consumption?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) a single drink consists of:
· 12-ounces of beer (5% alcohol content).
· 8-ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content).
· 5-ounces of wine (12% alcohol content).
· 1.5-ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).
The most common form of excessive drinking is binge drinking. Binge drinking is where a person will consume more than 4 alcoholic drinks during a single occasion. This person may not drink every day, but when they do, they go with gusto and they drink multiple beverages in one 24-hour period. This type of excessive drinking takes place at celebrations like weddings or wakes and is often an image portrayed as “normal” college life. But this type of heavy consumption usually leads to poor choices and poor outcomes, even death. At a local university, the sororities celebrate the end of their recruitment period by going on a binge called “Black-out Thursday” …23 students were rushed to the emergency department of the local hospital for acute alcohol poisoning…sounds like fun, doesn’t it? One young woman died, and for what?
Heavy drinking is considered to be where a person consumes more than 8 drinks per week if you’re a woman and 15 drinks per week if you’re a man. There are both short term and long term effects of consuming alcohol and the CDC has prepared a list as follows:
Short-Term Health Risks
· Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.
· Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
· Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.
· Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
· Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) among pregnant women.
Long-Term Health Risks
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:
· High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
· Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon.
· Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.
· Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
· Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems, and unemployment.
· Alcohol dependence, or alcoholism.
Education is the first step in gaining understanding. I hope this article gives information that might raise one’s thoughts as to who might be abusing alcohol or who might be in need of help. If you have concerns for a friend, a loved one or even yourself, there are several resources in local communities who can help. If you are in crisis, call 911 or go to your local hospital or urgent care center but if you have questions and would like to talk to someone, most hospitals will have information to connect you with local treatment or AA groups. Next week I will be discussing more about alcohol and signs and symptoms of alcoholism and alcohol abuses. I hope everyone has a good weekend, take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com