Established in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the purpose of Alcohol Awareness Month is to raise awareness of this chronic, progressive disease, which is fatal if left untreated. There is hope, though. Many people recover from alcoholism and go on to lead fulfilling lives free from addiction, as we have seen time and time again at The Carter Treatment Center.
Each year, NCADD has a theme for Alcohol Awareness Month, and this year it’s: Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow. The mission will be carried out with local, state, and national events geared toward educating people about alcohol addiction prevention and treatment.
Sobering Facts About Alcoholism
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) presented disturbing facts and statistics about alcohol use in the United States:
- Prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in adults: According to 2015 research, more than 15.1 million adults aged 18 and over had AUD, accounting for more than 6% of this age group.
- AUD in adolescents: An estimated 623,000 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 had AUD, but only 5.2% received treatment within the past year. Approximately 1.3 million people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported heavy alcohol use within the last month.
- Alcohol and college students: Nearly 38% of college students between the ages of 18 and 22 reported binge drinking in the past month, compared to 32.6% of non-college students in the same age group. The same 2015 data showed that 12.5% of college students reported heavy alcohol use in the past month, while only 8.5% of non-college age students in the same age group reported doing so.
- Alcohol-related deaths: Every year, more than 88,000 Americans die from alcohol-related causes, making it the third leading preventable cause of death in the nation.
Learn More About Recovery from Alcoholism
Drinking too much, too fast, or too often is the telltale sign of alcoholism, and many who are affected have difficulty overcoming issues of shame and denial. If you find yourself frequently drinking alone, drinking in secret, or feeling agitated if you do not drink, you may want to discuss treatment options for alcoholism. At The Carter Treatment Center, we aim to reduce the stigma of alcoholism, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you are struggling with alcohol addiction. We have offices located in Suwanee and Cumming, and we serve the surrounding communities of Alpharetta, Gainesville, John's Creek, Dawsonville, and more. Recovery means a life free from hangovers, missed opportunities, and rampant health problems associated with your addiction, such as the increased risk of liver disease and some types of cancer.
This April, take the challenge to educate yourself about alcoholism and its dangers. The situation is serious, but people can and do recover.
Ready to discuss kicking alcohol? Contact us at The Carter Treatment Center at (470) 616-7274 today to learn more about our alcohol rehab program.