Each year, alcohol claims the lives of more than 90,000 men and women in the U.S. To spread the word about this treatable illness, Alcohol Awareness Month began to combat the stigma of alcohol addiction. For men and women struggling with addiction, alcohol addiction treatment is the safest way to recover with less risk of relapsing and alcohol poisoning.
At Swift River, we support National Alcohol Awareness Month by continuing to support men and women struggling with alcohol addiction. We use various evidence-backed therapies and group counseling to support our patients and teach them coping skills to maintain their sobriety once their recovery is complete. To learn how you can help raise awareness during Alcohol Awareness Month or get effective treatment for your alcohol addiction, call 413.570.9698 today to speak with our compassionate staff about our alcohol addiction treatment program.
What is National Alcohol Awareness Month?
In 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) established National Alcohol Awareness Month. They use traditional and social media campaigns to spread the word about the causes of alcoholism and its’s effect on our physical and mental health. This movement has saved thousands of lives and led to the creation of other alcohol awareness programs, such as Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Know Your Limit campaigns.
Here are some Alcohol Awareness Month facts that you may not know:
- The first recorded evidence of alcohol dates back to 3,000 – 2,000 B.C.E.
- Before modern medicine, alcohol was used to treat anything from snake bites to the common cold.
- Alcohol is a depressant.
- Alcohol affects men and women differently.
- Alcohol can physically change your brain chemistry and lead to a decrease in brain matter and cognitive function.
- Alcohol can lower your blood sugar
- Drinking hard liquor does not warm up your body
Spread the Word About Alcohol Awareness Month 2022
On the first day of Alcohol Awareness Month, you can spread the word about alcohol awareness to your friends, family, neighbors, and online community. Encourage others to participate and show their support by learning more about the effects of alcohol and its history in the U.S.
Here are some ways that you can support Alcohol Awareness Month 2022:
- Participate in an alcohol-free weekend in the month of April. If you are a regular drinker, this 72-hour break is a great way to see how long-term drinking affects your physical and mental health. Be sure to monitor any withdrawal symptoms, and if they become too severe and make it impossible to stop drinking, it is time to enroll in an alcohol addiction treatment program.
- Start a conversation about alcohol. Talk with your friends and family about the effects of drinking in a calm and non-accusatory manner. While this is not an intervention, it can help you or others see how drinking affects them and those around them.
- Throw a sober Alcohol Awareness Month party. Show everyone how much fun an alcohol-free party can be. Brew up some delicious mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks and plan some fun activities. Don’t forget to pass out red ribbons to show your support for National Alcohol Awareness Month.
- Share your addiction struggles on social media with #alcoholAwarenessMonth. By sharing your story online, you are helping raise awareness of this treatable disease. Talk about your triumphs and failures. Your words may be what convinces someone to get help for their addiction.
Swift River – Massachusetts: Spreading the Word About the Effects of Alcohol During Alcohol Awareness Month
At Swift River, each month, we help patients understand the dangers of alcohol while helping them develop healthy coping skills to maintain their sobriety and lead productive lives. We offer several addiction treatment programs, including:
- Detox
- Residential/Inpatient treatment
- Day treatment program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Co-occurring mental health treatment
For more Alcohol Awareness Month facts or to begin your alcohol addiction recovery, call 413.570.9698 today to speak with our caring staff about National Alcohol Awareness Month and how we can benefit your recovery.
