April is Alcohol Awareness Month

FACTS:

Alcoholics are ten times more likely to develop carcinoma than the general population.

Accidents related to alcohol use are among the leading causes of death for teens.

Alcohol use is the 3^rd leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

SIGNS:

There are various warning signs to help detect potential alcohol misuse. Some are more difficult to identify than others. Common symptoms include:

Experiencing temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss
Making excuses for drinking such as to relax, deal with stress, or feel normal
Choosing drinking over other responsibilities and obligations
Drinking in secrecy

HELP:

Alcohol Use Disorder is highly treatable and there are many options:

Medication Assisted Treatment options (Disulfiram, Naltrexone, Acamprosate)
Behavioral Therapies/Alcohol Counseling (cognitive-behavioral therapy, family/marriage counseling, motivational enhancement therapy)
Intensive Treatment (residential treatment centers, medical detoxification)
Support Groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery)

Most people with an Alcohol Use Disorder can benefit from some form of treatment. For many people, using a combination of treatment options gives then the best results.

HopeHealth

HopeHealth educates its patients on the importance of having a health care home. As a primary care facility, HopeHealth’s medical team works to prevent and detect illness and the early onset of disease, provide routine physical examinations and promote overall healthy lifestyles.