Today marks the start of Alcohol-Free Weekend! The annual event invites Americans to join in solidarity in raising awareness about the problem of alcohol and its impact on society. While the next three days will likely be “business-as-usual” for people already in recovery, for others, it is a chance to get a pulse reading on their relationship with alcohol.
Facing Addiction with NCADD, the organization behind Alcohol Awareness Month urges individuals with discomfort abstaining for 72-hours to contact addiction professionals. Those who reach out can learn more about the symptoms of alcohol use disorder and takes steps to recover, if necessary.
Alcohol addiction is a debilitating and pernicious mental health disorder. Those who struggle with alcohol are at risk of developing one or more life-threatening health conditions over time. People whose drinking has become problematic will face many life obstacles. They are often unable to care for a family, hold down a job, or perform in school.
As one’s life becomes more impacted by their alcohol use, they will drink more to cope with the difficulties. Problems lead to more issues, and without outside help, alcohol use disorder is sure to progress. NCADD points out accurately that:
“Alcohol addiction is a chronic, progressive disease, genetically predisposed and fatal if untreated.”
There is a Solution: Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery
If alcohol is harming your life or a family member’s life, we encourage you to reach out for support. The effects of sustained, excessive drinking are not to be overlooked. Aside from the caustic influence that heavy drinking can have on one’s personal life, the practice takes an insidious toll on the body. Scientists associate excessive alcohol use with numerous health problems, chronic diseases; such as:
- Cardiovascular Problems
- Many Types of Cancers
- Liver Diseases
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Dementia, Stroke and Neuropathy
Some people might think that it takes a long time of hazardous drinking for the above conditions to develop. However, it is not uncommon for individuals in their 20s and 30s to present in hospitals for such health conditions. Moreover, alcohol use has a hand in as many as 2.8 million deaths each year globally. It’s likely that the exact figure is much higher because of under-reporting.
The theme of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Month is fitting — “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow.” Across the country, organizations are working with NCADD to create awareness and encourage men and women to seek treatment.
The events this month aim to raise awareness, and in doing so, they help break the stigma that stands in the way of treatment and recovery. Some 17.6 million people or one in every 12 adults suffers from alcohol use disorder; millions more are at risk of developing the condition.
The uplifting news is that there is a solution men and women can utilize before the damage becomes fatally severe. Millions of Americans are in recovery from alcohol use disorder. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence estimates that as many as 20 million people are in recovery from alcohol use.
California Residential Addiction Treatment
Alcohol use disorder has many symptoms, and it helps to seek a professional opinion about the problem. If your alcohol use is problematic and is noticeably changing your life, we invite you to make contact with Hope By The Sea.
Located in beautiful, sunny Southern California, our full-service and family owned California residential treatment center is the perfect setting to discover the miracle of recovery. We provide men and women a safe environment to learn how to lead a life in long-term recovery.
