April is Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness month - an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol abuse, examine your relationship with alcohol and perhaps reset your drinking habits.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, excessive drinking encompasses both binge drinking (four or more drinks on one occasion for women, five or more for men) and heavy drinking (eight or more drinks a week for women, fifteen or more for men).
“It is common for people to underestimate the amount they consume. An actual serving of wine is five ounces which looks paltry to many,” says Brian Couey, Psy.D., the executive director of INTEGRIS Health Arcadia Trails Center for Addiction Recovery. “Moreover, the smaller size and refreshing taste of drinks like hard seltzer tend to encourage overconsumption.”
Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious issues that affect a person’s quality of life, physical and mental health.
“Even though alcohol is generally viewed as socially enhancing, it is really the opposite for many people,” Couey says. “We hear from folks frequently that the availability of alcohol is a primary consideration relative to what they choose to engage in socially, which is ultimately very unhealthy.”
Whether you decide to quit drinking for a month or give up alcohol completely, you will probably notice a difference in your overall health quickly - even if you are a moderate drinker.
Short-term benefits of taking a break or cutting down can include:
If you wish to cut back or quit drinking, it is always a good idea to discuss different options with a health care provider. At INTEGRIS Health, we offer various addiction and recovery resources (no referral necessary), including residential treatment at INTEGRIS Health Arcadia Trails or intensive outpatient options at INTEGRIS Health Decisions.
