April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This day was established in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to encourage people within communities to support others and reduce the stigma that is associated with addiction. Alcohol use disorder can be fatal if it goes untreated. However, recovery is possible with intervention, focused treatment, and support.
How Does Alcohol Awareness Month Help?
Designating April as Alcohol Awareness Month opens the door for conversations about alcohol abuse and addiction. When people avoid talking about sensitive subjects, those topics remain cloaked in mystery, shame, and ignorance.
This is especially true within families. Talking to a teen or young adult about alcohol use can be uncomfortable. Many parents don’t know how to address the issue, and young people can be embarrassed about it.
But family support is one of the keys to helping teens and young adults handle the peer pressure and triggers associated with drinking. Using Alcohol Awareness Month to spark discussions about drinking might prevent teens and young adults from abusing the drug. It can also allow families to learn how to seek help if their loved one is struggling with addiction.
Education Reduces Misunderstandings
Falling prey to misunderstandings surrounding alcohol abuse is easy. Parents may feel as though they are responsible for their teens’ drug use. Teens and young adults might think that they don’t have other options for coping with stress or handling peer pressure.
During this month, the events that take place globally and locally can provide a route for educating individuals about addiction and recovery. Encouraging schools to take part in Alcohol Awareness Month creates an open forum for discussion with peers and trusted adults. Schools can facilitate conversations about a healthy lifestyle. They may even hold alcohol-free events that give young people an outlet to socialize and enjoy themselves.
Enabling this type of discussion may allow some people to come out and ask for help. It can also let people know where they can turn if they need assistance.
How to Participate in Alcohol Awareness Month
If you’re a parent, part of a community group or a business owner, you can help raise awareness about substance abuse. Some options for participating include:
- Hosting alcohol-free events
- Including information about alcohol abuse in a newsletter or blog
- Participating in community events that offer addiction education
- Volunteering with organizations that support addiction recovery
- Spreading the word via social media
- Holding educational and entertaining events where young people can learn more about alcohol abuse
At Zelus Recovery, a Boise alcohol rehab center for teens and young adults, we are passionate about encouraging conversation surrounding this topic. We aim to help bring families together to support individuals who are struggling with addiction.
We offer a variety of treatment options, including:
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse and would like to know more about Zelus Recovery, call us at 208.518.0797.
