Alcohol Awareness Month presents an opportunity to learn more about alcohol addiction, treatment options, and how to support loved ones who may be struggling with alcohol use disorder. This yearly event, launched by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) in April 1987 to educate college students about the dangers of drinking, has since become a national movement to raise awareness about the nature and treatment of alcohol addiction.
At Recovery Centers of America, we believe that education and awareness are powerful tools in the fight against addiction. Our addiction treatment programs, which include alcohol detox, inpatient care, outpatient treatment options, and alumni, support both individuals and families in overcoming alcohol addiction and maintaining long-term recovery.
Call 1-800-RECOVERY if our alcohol treatment centers can help you or a loved one.
Alcohol Awareness Month Facts
How big of a problem is alcohol addiction? Consider these facts and statistics:
- In 2023, 10.5% of Americans aged 12 years and older were identified as having alcohol use disorder1
- In a 2021 study, 21.5% of Americans over 12 reported engaging in binge drinking in the last 30 days2
- More than 178,000 deaths each year are attributable to excessive alcohol use3
- Less than 10% of people who meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) receive the treatment they need4
It’s clear that there’s an opportunity for greater awareness and understanding when it comes to alcohol addiction. This Alcohol Awareness Month, taking the time to learn about the disease of addiction and its treatment can help make a difference in your community.
Stigma and Misconceptions About Alcohol Addiction
One of the most pervasive misconceptions about alcohol misuse is viewing it as a moral failing rather than as an expression of the underlying disease of addiction. While there is greater social acceptance toward the abuse of alcohol compared to that of illegal drugs, the stigma still centers on the misconception that alcohol addiction is a failure of will, a matter of choice, rather than a mental health condition underpinned by mechanisms outside of voluntary control. The destigmatizing efforts of Alcohol Awareness Month help to counteract this damaging view.
Demystifying denial is another major aim of Alcohol Awareness Month. Denial is a psychological defense mechanism by which an individual refuses to recognize a difficult reality. Denial is a constant obstacle for both those in the grip of an alcohol use disorder and their loved ones.
Educational Resources About Alcohol Use Disorder
Before considering treatment options, those seeking additional information could:
- Consult the RCA e-book: A Loved One’s Guide to Alcohol Addiction and Recovery
- Take the Alcohol Addiction Quiz to learn how to identify warning signs and symptoms of AUD
We invite you to see where a loved one falls on the spectrum, answer the most asked questions about alcohol addiction, and discover options for intervention and care, among much else.
Treatment Options for Alcohol Abuse
This Alcohol Awareness Month, we encourage you to learn more about the different treatment options available for alcohol abuse and addiction.
Medically Monitored Detoxification
Heavy alcohol consumption over a long time can sometimes cause serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms, requiring detoxification. Depending on the severity of use, withdrawal symptoms can range from temporary anxiety and insomnia to the potential for delirium tremens and seizures. These potential symptoms are why we at RCA strongly encourage coming to one of our centers to detox and start your recovery journey.
Inpatient Treatment
Once the body is safely detoxed of alcohol in a secure environment, typically over three to seven days, AUD patients should continue their care by moving to residential inpatient care. There they will receive comprehensive treatment, attending to the needs of mind, body, and spirit through immersion in 12-step programs, individual, group, and family therapy, and a variety of other therapeutic and educational offerings.
Outpatient Treatment
Our outpatient program allows patients to maintain their personal and professional schedules while receiving both individual and group sessions. While there are instances where direct to outpatient care can be possible, RCA strongly encourages those finalizing their inpatient treatment to move to an outpatient plan. This “step down” can benefit a patient to learn how to cope with real life triggers while keeping their support network. Telehealth options are now available to allow for flexibility with outpatient treatment.
Intervention
Sometimes, when a patient isn’t ready to take the above steps, an intervention is warranted. Under the guidance of a professional, an intervention gathers the friends and family of those suffering from AUD to bring the full extent of their problems to their awareness and present opportunities for help through further treatment options. Rather than being an occasion for confrontation or compulsion, an intervention is an expression of love and care as well as an opening for change. RCA’s intervention services feature a 90% success rate in getting patients to enter treatment.
Ongoing Recovery Support
Long-term recovery depends on a recovery community. In addition to participation in a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, Recovery Centers of America also has an Alumni Association which allows our patients to stay committed and connected for a lifetime of successful recovery.
Reach Out to Recovery Centers of America Today
If you or a loved one need help with a drug or alcohol addiction, call Recovery Centers of America now at 1-800-RECOVERY.
Sources:
1. NIAAA – Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics
3. NIAAA – Understanding Alcohol’s Adverse Impact on Health
4. NIH – Neurobiology and the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Review of the Evidence Base
