April: SAMHSA’s Alcohol Awareness Month

During the month of April, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sought to bring awareness to the problems of alcohol misuse, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism in the United States.

What is SAMHSA?

SAMHSA supports research for mental-health issues, including drug abuse.  It also offers educational information to physicians, families, and others.  The website provides recent news, numerous publications, and statistical information about drug use in the United States. Learn more about SAMHSA by reading the article SAMHSA: Government Resources for Addiction at samsha.gov.

What did SAMHSA do to help people better understand this public health problem?

Although the agency’s primary focus has been on preventing misuse of alcohol in youths ages 12 - 20 (Read Underage Drinking: What and Where), SAMHSA recognizes that alcohol abuse is not limited to this population (Read Substance Abuse and Seniors and Who Becomes an Addict?) and can sometimes be affected by other problems (Read Dual Diagnosis: When Addiction and Mental Health Collide).  Data from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggest that nearly 20 million Americans would benefit from treatment for alcohol abuse. National Alcohol Screening day was observed on April 7.  SAMHSA invited individuals to anonymously assess their own behaviors with alcohol to see if they are having problems with drinking (Read Self-Evaluation: Is There a Problem?).  Throughout the month, they also offered information on local screening and treatment resources for the general public, parents (Read How to Talk to a Teen about Drugs), university students (Read What You and Your Young Adult Need to Know about Campus Life), and military personnel and their families (Read Veterans and Addiction: Bringing the War Home).

What are the consequences of alcoholism?

Like other addictive behaviors, the effects of alcoholism can be far reaching.  Prolonged alcohol abuse wreaks havoc on numerous body systems (Read Alcoholism from the Inside).  As alcoholism progresses, the alcoholic may be unable to keep a job, make sound financial decisions, or maintain healthy relationships with others (Read Alcoholism’s Effects on the Family).  The children of alcoholics are more likely to become alcoholics themselves and to marry an alcoholic than the general public (Read Repeating the Past: Marrying an Alcoholic).

What can I do for someone whom I believe to be an alcoholic?

Alcoholism is often quite easy to recognize (Read 11 Warning Signs of Alcoholism). Joining a 12-step program is a good way for an alcoholic to learn important skills for maintaining sobriety (Read Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous).  However, in the majority of cases, an alcoholic is not able to recognize or accept that they have a problem (Read Dealing with Addiction Denial).  Even if their circumstances seem desperate to you, they may be perfectly happy in a dysfunctional lifestyle (Read Rock Bottom: Not What You’d Imagine). In such situations, family and friends may need to arrange an intervention and find an appropriate rehab for them. To get this process started, call eDrugRehab at 1-866-902-0610.