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Monthly Health Topic
National Alcohol Awareness Month
Approximately one-half of U.S. adults report a family history
of alcoholism or problem drinking. Nearly 14 million Americans
have alcohol disorders. The first step in determining if a potential
problem exists is to get screened.
Preferred Choices and the Michigan Interplan Behavioral Health
Workgroup are promoting National Alcohol Awareness Month. This
will be the time to shine the spotlight on alcohol abuse, treatment
and the need for alcohol screening.
We encourage our members to screen themselves by using our alcohol
screening tool, either by toll-free phone at (877) 769-5501 or
visit our online
screening tool. The screening is free, completely confidential
and anonymous, and you will get immediate results.
If your results indicate that there is an alcohol problem, we
urge you to discuss this with your primary care physician as soon
as possible.
Remember, screening is step one and help is available.
Alcohol Facts*
- Women overall drink less than men but are more likely to experience
adverse consequences including damage to the heart muscle, liver,
and brain, trauma resulting from auto crashes, interpersonal
violence, and death.
- As people grow older, their bodies are less able to handle
alcohol safely. Alcohol-related problems, including interactions
with prescription and over-the counter drugs, account for most
of the known substance related problems experienced by older
adults.
- Young persons reporting first use of alcohol before age 15
were more than five times as likely to have past alcohol dependence
or abuse compared with persons who first used alcohol at age
21 or older.
- Alcohol can damage a fetus at any stage of pregnancy. Damage
can occur in the earliest weeks of pregnancy, even before a woman
knows that she is pregnant. Therefore, no amount of alcohol consumption
can be considered safe during pregnancy.
- Moderate alcohol use is defined as up to two drinks per day
for men and one drink per day for women and older people. (One
drink equals one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one
5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.)
*Source: www.NationalAlcoholScreeningDay.org
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