As April quickly approaches, so does the major issue the month brings awareness to. April is Alcohol Awareness Month and it’s dedicated to spreading awareness, reducing stigma around the illness, and encouraging communities to help people struggling with alcohol-related issues get the support they need. The month creates opportunities for recovery and is sponsored by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency (NCADD).
Alcohol Awareness Month first started in 1987 and has since been used to help fight against alcohol abuse and help save lives. In the United States, about 178,000 people die per year due to excessive alcohol use, not counting those who are killed from alcohol-related issues or drunk driving car accidents. April is a month used to recognize those whose lives were lost because of alcohol and prevent future deaths from occurring.
In an interview conducted with a source who wishes to remain anonymous, Alcohol Awareness Month serves as an opportunity for her to share her experience with her relative who is an alcoholic and warn others about the dangers of alcohol. This source says “alcohol is a destructive drug that is so easy to become addicted to, no amount of peer pressure could make me use it.” She expressed in the interview that the alcoholics in her life fell victim to the substance and it in turn ruined her relationship with them, leaving a lasting impact on her and her family. She also said “it’s a hard situation to be put in because their brain is sick so it’s not entirely their fault.” This source says that she thinks it’s so important to spread awareness during this month and every month because if people are aware of how dangerous alcohol can be, then maybe lives can be saved. She just wants people to be safe and reminds people to never be afraid to ask for help.
Alcohol is an incredibly addictive substance and it doesn’t discriminate between gender, race, or age. Unfortunately, this means nobody is immune to the disease and many people are abusing substances without realizing it. Additionally, there is a stigma surrounding alcoholism that makes those struggling not want to seek out help due to a fear of judgment. Alcohol Awareness Month hopes to change this and encourage people to speak up to save lives.
There are many young people battling with addiction as alcohol becomes more normalized within society. Alcoholism is damaging to not only the individual themselves, but to their loved ones and peers who are trying desperately to help them. April is a time people recognize the dangers of alcohol and can take preventative measures to fight back against this growing but preventative pandemic.
