Alcohol Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of alcohol abuse and encourage people to make healthy, safe choices.
Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse
If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may have a problem with alcohol:
- Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
- Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
- Does your drinking worry your family?
- Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
- Do you ever forget what you did while drinking?
- Do you get headaches or have a hangover after drinking?
Source: How to Cut Down on Your Drinking
Strategies to Cut Back or Quit Drinking
There are many strategies you can try to cut back or quit drinking. To get started:
- Keep track of your drinking and set a drinking limit.
- Try to avoid places where heavy drinking occurs.
- Ask for help from a doctor, family, or friends.
- If you keep alcohol in your home, keep only a limited supply.
Get Involved
Take action to raise awareness of alcohol abuse.
- Partner with a local high school or youth organization to host an event about alcohol abuse prevention.
- Host an alcohol-free community block party to show how much fun can be had without drinking. Invite local restaurants and a local radio station to provide free food and music.
- On April 7, National Alcohol Screening Day, partner with a local health clinic to offer free or discounted screenings for alcohol abuse.
- Partner with your local police station and host a Family Information Night. Share free information on preventing alcohol abuse and provide demonstrations, such as using drinking goggles to see what it’s like to be impaired.
- Post information on bulletin boards at local community centers, places of worship, the library, and post office.
Adapted from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at SAMHSAInfo@samhsa.hhs.govfor more information and materials.
