Alcohol Awareness Month: April Is Alcohol Awareness Month

April is alcohol awareness month. Oddly enough, this is a recognized health month in the United States and not in Canada. I wonder why…? This entry is dedicated to everything related to alcohol.

Did you know?

* There are many ways to define alcohol use.

– Heavy drinking is defined as four or more drinks in one occasion for men, or more than 14 drinks in a week. For women it is defined as three or more drinks in one occasion or more than 7 drinks in a week.

– Moderate consumption is two drinks per occasion for men and one drink per occasion for women.

– Drinking during pregnancy can have effects on an unborn baby and no safe limit of alcohol consumption has been established during pregnancy. No alcohol is the safest choice during pregnancy

– While sometimes thought of as a stimulant, alcohol is actually a central nervous system depressant.

-A 2000 – 2001 nation-wide survey found that 76.6% of Albertans over the age of 12 were current drinkers (had consumed at least one drink in the previous year). The proportion of heavy drinkers in Alberta (22.5%) is higher than the rest of Canada (20.1%). Heavy drinking was defined in this survey as having consumed five or more drinks on one occasion, 12 or more times in the previous year.

– Studies have shown that drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 are seven times more likely to cause a motor vehicle accident. This will occur when a 160 lb man consumes four or five drinks in an hour.

Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcohol Addiction

Often alcohol abuse is described as harmful use of alcohol. Abusive behavior occurs when a person continues to drink even though it’s having negative effects on their life. Those who are addicted will also show signs of abuse plus some of the following:

* Narrowing of the drinking repertoire (drinking only one brand or type of alcoholic beverage) * Drink-seeking behavior (only going to social events that will include drinking, or only hanging out with others who drink) * Alcohol tolerance (having to drink increasing amounts to achieve previous effects) * Withdrawal symptoms (getting physical symptoms after going a short period without drinking) * Subjective awareness of the compulsion to drink or craving for alcohol (whether they admit it to others or not)

Typically those who are alcohol abusers can be helped with brief interventions while those with a dependency require more rigorous treatment and support.

Interesting Research…

In the November issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, a group of scientists found that the smell of alcohol may be enough to trigger cravings and subsequent relapse among certain alcoholics. Alcohol and the anticipation of alcohol raise brain dopamine levels (a chemical that plays a role in the brains pleasure centres). Some believe that drinking “non-alcoholic” beer is one method of trying to abstain from alcohol. However, non-alcoholic beer still contains small amounts of alcohol. This study suggests that the use of non-alcoholic beer may not be the preferred method for those with alcohol dependency as it could possibly trigger a relapse.

Health Effects

Short term effects include:

* Upset stomach * Diarrhea * Headaches * Insomnia * Lack of coordination

Long term effects:

* Stomach ulcers * Heart disease including high blood pressure, irregular heart beat * Liver problems: cirrhosis and cancer * Increase in infections as it suppresses the immune system * Impotence and infertility * Brain damage * Many forms of cancer

Alcohol is often looked upon as a socially acceptable “drug”. However, excessive consumption and abuse can definitely lead to more permanent health, occupational and social problems. If you are concerned about the effects of alcohol in someone in your life, contact our offices. We can directly refer you to a SAPAA certified substance abuse professional to help in overcoming addictions.

 

Narconon Riverbend Retreat Louisiana Celebrates Alcohol Awareness Month …

Filed under: alcohol awareness month

Narconon Riverbend Retreat in Louisiana spotlights a recent graduate who overcame alcoholism in recognition of National Alcohol Awareness Month, sponsored by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD).
Read more on Houston Chronicle

 

Health Alliance on Alcohol Offers Tips for Parents to Curb Underage Drinking …

Filed under: alcohol awareness month

WHITE PLAINS, NY, Apr 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — During Alcohol Awareness Month, and with prom and graduation season just around the corner, now is a critical time for parents to engage their teens in discussions about alcohol, according to the Health …
Read more on MarketWatch (press release)