Alcohol-related causes consistently rank in the top preventable causes of death in the United States. This tragic reality makes it all the more important to build awareness about the effects alcohol has on the body and mind. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol dependence or abuse, know that help is available to you through a variety of avenues. For example, there are many reputable alcohol addiction treatment programs waiting to serve you. Call our caring team at Summit Estate Recovery Center at 800.701.6997 or reach out online to begin the conversation. In the meantime, here are five key alcohol awareness facts you should know to get the ball rolling.
5 Facts About Alcohol Awareness for April 2022
Alcohol Awareness Month is an ideal time to get informed and help others get informed as well. Here are is some important information about alcohol’s negative effects and what you can do to combat them:
Alcohol Can Damage the Brain
Many people have heard the message that alcohol kills brain cells. While this is certainly true, research also suggests that significant recovery is possible through abstinence. Alcohol negatively impacts brain structures related to emotional stability, good decision-making, physical balance, and movement. However, abstinence for a period of about eight months can result in the regrowth of neurons in regions that previously decreased in mass due to alcohol consumption.
Drinking Damages Other Body Systems, Sometimes Irreparably
The body’s main filtration organ, the liver, is strongly impacted by binge drinking alcohol. It develops non-functioning scar tissue when overwhelmed by this highly toxic substance. The resulting condition is called liver cirrhosis, and, in advanced forms, it can be fatal since the scarring is generally irreversible. Binge drinking also increases the risk of conditions such as:
- Breast cancer
- Reduced body and bone mass
- Depression
- Decreased sex drive
Binge Drinking Carries Immense Risks
Binge drinking is prevalent, but the risks are enormous. Many people don’t know what being drinking actually means. A woman is binge drinking when she consumes four standard drinks in two hours, while a man is binge drinking when he consumes five in this same period. Drinking at this rate makes alcohol poisoning much more likely, along with a host of other negative consequences, including sexual assault, other violent behavior, motor vehicle accidents, and more.
Alcohol-Free Weekend Kicks Off Alcohol Awareness Month
An alcohol-free weekend can provide helpful information. Alcohol Awareness Month is the perfect time to build solidarity with non-drinkers and assess your own relationship with the drug. Take the 72 alcohol-free hours challenge and be honest with yourself about how it goes. Do you have symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, like nausea, sweating, insomnia, depression, or headache? Consider whether an alcohol treatment program or support group could help.
It Is Possible to Thrive Without Alcohol
You can still unwind from a long week without alcohol. Use this month to attend or host a dry event or two. Try beverages like kombucha, NA beer, or mocktails. Structured activities like board games, trivia, or charades can help break the ice. Volunteering to serve others is also a great use of your time, as are solo activities like art-making and exploring the outdoors.
How Can an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program Help with Recovery?
Getting the facts about alcohol awareness is a significant first step. However, an alcohol addiction treatment program can help with recovery in several key ways. Many residential programs offer formal detox therapy. This allows clients to deal with the physical and mental hardships of withdrawal under the best possible circumstances. They receive 24-hour access to medical care and may benefit from medications that support healthy withdrawal and mitigate its symptoms.
Residential programs, partial hospitalization programs, or intensive outpatient programs also feature individual talk therapy. This furnishes critical skills to gain and maintain sobriety. Clients learn to shift negative self-beliefs and gain insight into the underlying causes of their addiction. Identifying triggers and training in self-regulation when they arise are also vital components.
Group therapy and family therapy can help those in recovery repair any damage that substance abuse has caused to core relationships. They can also teach skills about healthy relating without alcohol going forward. Holistic programs may offer further services for those in recovery, such as outdoor activities, mindfulness meditation training, or therapeutic work with animals like horses.
Begin Healing at Summit Estate Recovery Center in Silicon Valley
Don’t wait another minute for help coping with problematic drinking. Our caring team at Summit Estate is eager to answer your questions this Alcohol Awareness Month and always. Reach out online or call 800.701.6997 to begin your journey toward greater alcohol awareness and healthy living.