Q&A: Trans adults face ‘shocking’ risk of alcohol-driven cirrhosis

alcohol awareness month

NIAAA has some interactive resources to help you examine your drinking patterns further and, if needed, recognize and search for quality care. This is kind of hypothesis-generating, but we found that there are higher rates of depression and anxiety among transgender individuals with cirrhosis (about two-thirds of people) than cisgender individuals with cirrhosis. We know that alcohol can be used as a coping mechanism for depression and anxiety. Our hypothesis is that having depression and anxiety leads to increased alcohol use, which can then lead to higher rates of liver damage and then eventually cirrhosis. So when you’re trying to really study and look for specific, unique features in health, you often need to have large groups of people to be able to study them and see how things might be different from other groups. A lot of people may not access health care and be in these databases, or really want to disclose their [gender] identity.

Resources For Alcoholism Support

alcohol awareness month

Some of the ways the NCADD has made it possible to fight alcoholism is by launching personalized campaigns every year, Alcohol-Free-Weekend encouraging abstinence, and seeking help for someone if they are unable to. The D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and Know Your Limits campaigns have also instilled much-needed information about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption in children from an early age. With such a wide range of resources available, it’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating alcohol addiction.

Public Health

Throughout April, communities nationwide participate in various events and activities to raise awareness about alcoholism and promote positive change. From educational workshops and seminars to community rallies and fundraising events, Alcohol Awareness Month provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to unite in solidarity and support. By providing parents, educators, and young people with information about the risks of underage drinking and strategies for prevention, this initiative works to create a safer and healthier environment for youth. Another critical goal of Alcohol Awareness Month is to promote responsible drinking behaviors and prevent underage drinking. The influence of alcohol marketing, peer pressure, and societal norms can contribute to underage drinking, which can have severe consequences for young people’s physical and mental health, academic performance, and future opportunities. The Australian Government’s “Alcohol and Drug Foundation,” for instance, champions numerous programs that aim to curb the detrimental effects of alcohol and related substance abuse and drug abuse.

A Guide To National Alcohol Awareness Month

  1. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator can help you recognize and find high quality treatment for alcohol use disorder.
  2. It offers communities a chance to gain more understanding of how individuals struggle with alcohol use and offers resources and support.
  3. In the same spirit, the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a nonprofit organization, supports global initiatives that combat harmful drinking, including Alcohol Awareness Month.
  4. The Alcohol Treatment Navigator walks individuals through the process of finding treatment options and recovery resources.

In the same spirit, the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a nonprofit organization, supports global initiatives that combat harmful drinking, including Alcohol Awareness Month. Youth advocates, civil society organizations, academic researchers and other experts provided input into the Task Force’s recommendations. At its core, National Alcohol Awareness Month seeks to educate the American public about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, promote responsible drinking habits, and support those struggling with alcohol addiction on their path to recovery. Despite the social acceptance of drinking in America, there is a dire need for increased awareness of the harms of alcohol, especially excessive alcohol use and binge drinking. Excessive alcohol use claims the lives of over 140,000 Americans yearly, and it is the leading cause of preventable death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Select Health Observances, 2024

The good news is that anyone can help to prevent excessive alcohol use, and initiatives like National Alcohol Awareness Month can help provide the public with strategies to battle alcoholism and prevent alcohol-related harm. Since 1987, the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has designated April as Alcohol Awareness Month, a public health initiative to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote community action on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues. This yearly observance encourages individuals and organizations to come together, share resources, and engage in meaningful conversations about the impact of alcohol on health and society.

alcohol awareness month

With this in mind, Alcohol Awareness Month gives public health bodies, community centers, and treatment facilities the chance to increase their efforts to reach people who may not fully appreciate the dangers of unhealthy alcohol consumption. Find up-to-date statistics on lifetime drinking, past-year drinking, past-month drinking, binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, and high-intensity drinking. Each April, the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) promotes Alcohol Awareness Month, a national public health awareness campaign designed to increase awareness and understanding of the causes and treatment of alcoholism.

Explore how many people ages 18 to 25 engage in alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. Learn how many people ages 12 to 20 engage in underage alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. To learn more about the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction, talk to a professional trained in diagnosing and treating the disease. At Valley Hope, experts are available to answer questions in complete confidence 24/7. “It’s important to discuss the differences between low-risk and high-risk drinking and for parents to remind their kids that any underage drinking is risky behavior and illegal,” emphasizes Kimball. Common signs of alcohol addiction include drinking alone, drinking to cope with stress or emotions, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, and neglecting responsibilities.

Even teens who would not normally be tempted to drink alcohol may be drawn in by certain social situations, so don’t assume they have all the facts they need to resist peer pressure. Parents and trusted adults can play a meaningful role in shaping youth’s attitudes toward drinking. In addition, the Rethinking Drinking website features interactive calculators as well as tips and strategies to cut down or quit drinking.

Support groups such as AA, SMART Recovery, and Women for Sobriety provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences and receive guidance from others who have gone through similar struggles. The founder of NCADD, Marty Man, was one of the original members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the first woman to complete a 12-step program. She founded NCADD to help others find alcoholism treatment and to conduct medical and scientific research on addiction. All types of alcoholic drinks, including red and white wine, beer, cocktails, and liquor, are linked with cancer.

Further, she campaigned to emphasize the significance of early intervention and effective treatment. It signposts support to those affected by alcoholism, providing valuable resources and guidance for navigating their challenges. One way to advance this work is by putting tools and resources in the hands of parents, caregivers, and others who interact with young people every day and have the power to engage them in conversations about the importance of alcohol avoidance and other healthy lifestyle choices. Since its inception in 1987, National https://rehabliving.net/why-is-heroin-so-addictive-changes-in-brain/ has saved many lives from alcohol-related deaths.

Every April, communities across the United States meet to observe National Alcohol Awareness Month. Founded and sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), this monthlong initiative, established in 1987, aims to reduce the stigma surrounding alcoholism while providing vital information about alcohol, alcoholism, and recovery. As we embark on another Alcohol Awareness Month, it’s crucial to understand its goals and significance in addressing one of the nation’s most prevalent public health issues in the African American community. SAMHSA aims to increase public awareness surrounding mental health and addiction recovery. In the years since Recovery Month launched, SAMHSA has timed announcements of initiatives and grant funding during Recovery Month, while collaborating with private and public entities to celebrate individuals during their long-term recoveries.

College administrations and state governments are turning to “creative prevention strategies” to address the epidemic, and https://rehabliving.net/ gives them the platform to spread the message. Once transgender individuals with cirrhosis are able to be linked to care, their outcomes are actually quite good in that they’re comparable to cisgender individuals. What we need is to be able to link these patients to care before they develop cirrhosis. If we’re able to prevent liver disease or prevent the complications of having liver disease, then you don’t need a transplant. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 25 percent of people ages 18 or older engaged in binge drinking in the past month; six percent engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month.

Long-term, excessive drinking of alcohol can gravely affect your health and leads to chronic diseases including high blood pressure, liver disease, digestive problems, and even cancer. AA is a 12-step program that provides peer support for individuals in recovery from alcoholism. They offer free meetings nationwide, and anyone who wants to stop drinking, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, income, or profession, can join.

Over the intervening years, this campaign has broadened its focus to address not only alcoholism but also underage drinking and prevention efforts. This expansion came in response to a growing body of research highlighting early intervention’s advantages in preventing alcohol-related issues later in life1. Each of these is designed to raise awareness of the importance of early interventions and prevention strategies in curbing alcohol abuse. The month-long campaign kicks off this week with its Alcohol-Free Weekend to raise public awareness about the use of alcohol and how it may be affecting individuals, families, businesses and communities. During Alcohol-Free Weekend, NCADD extends an open invitation to all Americans to engage in three alcohol-free days. If the Easter Bunny’s chocolate isn’t enough and one craves alcohol this weekend, then the council encourages people to seek help.

Alcohol Awareness Month is important because it helps to reduce the stigma surrounding alcohol addiction and encourages individuals, families, and communities to address alcohol-related issues and seek help. To help spread the messages related to National Alcohol Awareness Month, April, begin by immersing yourself in the subject. Read books, sift through articles, and analyze research studies to become well-versed in the dangers of excessive alcohol use, alcohol addiction, recovery, and preventative measures. At the community level, targeted campaigns have proven highly effective in raising awareness of the issue and fostering responsible drinking habits.

Online alcohol counseling and support groups are increasingly available and offer a convenient and accessible option for those seeking help, especially for individuals facing barriers such as physical distance, limited mobility, or scheduling conflicts. These online resources can provide valuable support, information, and community for individuals on their recovery journey. Women for Sobriety is a unique support group to help women overcome substance use disorders (SUDs). It offers a supportive and empowering environment that focuses on building emotional and spiritual growth and is the first peer-support program tailored specifically for women. Women for Sobriety provides a range of resources, including in-person and online meetings, discussion forums, and literature, to help women in their recovery journey. Additionally, National Alcohol Awareness Month presents a great opportunity to educate yourself about alcoholism and alcohol-related issues.

By raising awareness about alcohol misuse and abuse, communities, organizations, and health professionals can take action to prevent it, both at home and in the community. Drinking too much alcohol increases people’s risk of injuries, violence, drowning, liver disease, and some types of cancer. Alcohol Awareness Month is a chance to spread the word about strategies for preventing the misuse or abuse of alcohol.

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