April is Alcohol Awareness Month | Dr Christina Rahm

When I began this month’s guest column, I researched a myriad of health and wellness-related observances occurring in April. I found everything from Autism Awareness Month, National Oral Health Month, to even Stress Awareness Month (stress awareness should be observed all year!). Nonetheless, when I saw April was also Alcohol Awareness Month, I felt an article on that topic would be the best option.

Alcohol Awareness Month is observed annually to educate on alcohol use and misuse. Hosted since 1987 by the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the initiative offers comprehensive information to understand better the cause of how nearly 30 million individuals in this country struggle with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The NCADD’s observance also provides resources on early warning signs, risks, health anomalies related to overconsumption, and widespread support services and treatment options.

Sadly, alcohol is the most common substance involved in hospital emergency department visits due to the clinical range of chronic and acute health deficits caused by drinking. This includes alcohol poisoning, injuries related to intoxication, and even alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Alcohol use disorder

According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, in 2023, 28.9 million people, including children twelve and older, suffered from AUD. Additional statistics included data on:

Gender Differences: 16.8 million of the 28.9 million were males and the other twelve million were females.
Binge Drinking: A percentage of AUD individuals also binge drank, on average four times per month, typically consuming up to eight drinks per session.

Underage Drinking: Over three million teens reported overconsumption.
Alcohol-Related Deaths: An estimated 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually.
Treatment: While AUD is a treatable condition, only a fraction of people with AUD access treatment.

Other concerns in relation to alcohol abuse include the negative effects it has on the brain. According to the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works.”

Excessive consumption can also lead to brain tissue damage, affecting areas responsible for memory, decision-making, and coordination, resulting in cognitive impairment, dementia, and mental health issues. Consistent overconsumption can also lead to brain atrophy (loss of brain tissue), nerve cell and blood vessel damage, thiamine deficiency, changes in temperament and concentration difficulties. For more information on the general health effects of alcohol, over time, visit the NIAAA website.

Further, according to the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, females, and those sixty-five and older, should have no more than one drink per day, and no more than seven drinks per week. Males should have no more than two drinks in a single day, and no more than fourteen drinks per week.

Of course, the best way to avoid alcohol dependency is to abstain from drinking. But for those of us who simply have a drink here and there (and even those who do so a few nights a week) let us think about the “20-minute rule,” to keep alcohol effects at a minimum.

This theory suggests waiting at least 20 minutes after finishing one drink before consuming another to reduce the risk of intoxication. By waiting, you give your body a chance to metabolize the alcohol. Though important to note, everyone metabolizes alcohol differently. Factors such as body weight, gender, and overall health can affect metabolic rate.

Sadly, these statistics are startling, but factual. Articles like this remind everyone that we should always be mindful of drinking alcohol. Though relatively harmless to have a drink after a long day of work, or even a glass of wine when we meet our girlfriends for “happy hour.” But sometimes, simple habits can become real problems, and we should remember our ABCs, which is all about monitoring our own personal “Alcohol and Beverage Consumption.”

Finally, on those nights when we may drink one too many, I have a ‘go-to’ antidote titled ‘Clean Spirits,’ which supports alcohol metabolization. The product is a patented, proprietary formula designed to stimulate the production of enzymes that break down alcohol in the liver. This formula also helps remove harmful substances and aids to improve liver function. For more information on Clean Spirits, go to www.therootbrands.com/purelivingroot.