Alcohol Awareness Month
Each April, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence observes Alcohol Awareness Month. The purpose is to help communities understand what causes alcohol abuse, provide solutions for those who are suffering from addiction, and end the stigma of alcoholism.
How common is alcohol addiction?
Recent stats show that 65.3 million people ages 12 and older admit to binge drinking and 16.3 million people in that same demographic think they drink heavily. With these statistics in mind, it’s no surprise that alcoholism is a rampant problem.
What are the signs of alcoholism?
While every case is different, there are many common symptoms or signs.
- Drinking alone or in secret
- Experiencing temporary blackouts/short-term memory loss
- Irritability or extreme mood swings
- Making excuses to drink
- Isolation from friends and family
- Feeling hungover when not drinking
How could this affect others?
One of the most common ways that an alcohol addiction can affect others is drunk driving. In 2018, there were 10,511 deaths reported from drunk driving crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities were related to alcohol-impaired driving.
How can I prevent drunk driving?
Everyone has a role to play to prevent drunk driving. The most obvious solution is to never drive while intoxicated, even if you think you are okay to drive. With the rising popularity of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, it is now easier and cheaper to safely get home. Another solution is to plan ahead and choose a designated driver. While you’re drinking, make sure you’re eating food and drinking water between alcoholic beverages to avoid intoxication. If you notice that your friend or family member is trying to drive when they aren’t sober enough, make sure you take their keys. It may temporarily frustrate them, but it’s more important to watch out for their safety, as well as the safety of everyone on the road.
If you were injured to due a drunk driving accident, call the car accident attorneys at Rob Levine & Associates. We offer a free case evaluation and with the Fee Free Policy, you only pay us when we win your case.
