Recovery Centers of America at St. Charles and South Elgin stress the dangers of alcohol during April Alcohol Awareness Month
During April National Alcohol Awareness Month, Recovery Centers of America (RCA) at St. Charles and at South Elgin hope to raise awareness that one of the country’s biggest health issue and third leading preventable cause of death is alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder.
“Alcohol is ubiquitous in our society, so we often forget how dangerous it can be to our health,” says Dr. Stephen Holtsford, RCA Medical Director at both the inpatient St. Charles and outpatient South Elgin treatment facilities. As a former ER physician, Dr. Holtsford has witnessed the ravages of alcohol on people and their families. “Long term alcohol use poses health effects including liver disease, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, blood cell problems and cognitive decline,” he affirms.
The effects of alcohol abuse can begin almost immediately and have long-lasting impacts if left untreated. It is responsible for more than 95,000 deaths each year in the United States, as reported by the CDC.
“Alcohol continues to be the most prevalent substance of misuse and addiction. We see patients across the lifespan, from teenagers to retirees suffering significant health effects and life disruption stemming from problematic alcohol use.” says Karen Wolownik Albert, CEO of RCA at St. Charles and South Elgin. “We hope that Alcohol Awareness Month will be an opportunity to bring greater attention to the need for education, support and treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.”
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