The aim of alcohol awareness is to get people thinking about alcohol – how it affects individuals, families and communities. We encourage families to have the right conversations about alcohol in order to make changes with our relationship with alcohol.
Alcoholics develop cancers 10 times more than the general population.
The abuse of alcohol can lead to various kinds of death, such as…
Alcohol Poisoning:
According to the American Addiction Centers (AAC), an estimated 6 people die from alcohol poisoning each day. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms, in order to prevent it from being too late.
1. Slow Breathing
2. Confusion
3. Vomiting
4. Seizures
5. Pale, clammy, hands
6. Hypothermia
7. Unresponsiveness
Car Accidents:
According to the NHTSA, 32 Americans die every day due to accidents relating to drunk driving. These are 32 different people with parents, siblings, and children, who will never be able to see their loved ones ever again. However, this could be prevented if people were more aware of the risks of driving under the influence.
Violence:
The centers for Disease Control (CDC), claim that 88,000 Americans die every year due to violent, alcohol-related issues. This includes homicide, sexual assault, and suicide. This is due to the fact that alcohol impairs judgement. Once again, this could’ve been prevented if one put down the bottle.
In order to limit your alcohol intake, there are many lifestyle changes that you can perform. For example, you can…
1. Measure your drinks
2. Remove alcohol from your household
3. Practice saying “No”
4. Exercise
5. Abstinence
One should be mindful of their culture/ background when dealing with alcohol
The NSDUH reported that ethnic minorities were more susceptible to alcoholism than any other nationality. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this when drinking alcohol, especially if it applies to you. This is because addiction is not a choice, and according to the statistics, is biological.
Dry January
Although your goal might just be to limit your alcohol intake, it is beneficial to partake in challenges such as Dry January. In order to participate in this challenge, one must completely abstain from alcohol consumption for the entire month of January. If completed successfully, the urge to drink alcohol will decrease drastically.
Next Steps
Talk to your Primary Care Provider about your alcohol overuse. Have a medical evaluation, see what options you have to help you quit, and start the process of sobriety. We are here to help and connect you with the resources you need.
Like all things in life, the key is moderation. However, if you or a loved one are battling addiction, dial this number
844-289-0879 (National Drug Hotline)
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
Author Peggy Demetriou, FNP, APRN-BC Founder and CEO of Qvita Health and Wellness.