One of the difficulties people face when dealing with alcohol addiction is the threat of being shamed and socially ostracized. The stigma of alcohol addiction may keep people from looking for a treatment program that can help them fight addiction and make positive changes in their lives. That’s why an initiative like Alcohol Awareness Month is so important.

Banishing Stigma Through Greater Awareness

In April 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence launched the first Alcohol Awareness Month. Since then, it has become an excellent opportunity to offer people support and spread education about alcohol use and addiction. What’s the theme for this year? “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow.”

The main purpose of raising awareness is to weaken the stigma that hurts people who are addicted and makes them feel ashamed for seeking help. When people struggle with alcohol misuse or addiction, they may mistakenly assume they’re alone in their struggle or come to the harmful and incorrect conclusion that there’s no way for them to get better.

The truth is that millions of adults and hundreds of thousands of underaged teenagers^[1] in the U.S. have alcohol use disorder. Alcohol-related problems can affect people regardless of how old they are, how much money they make, what religion they practice, where they live, the amount of formal education they’ve completed, or any other demographic factor.

Furthermore, alcohol use disorder doesn’t have to be severe^[2] to cause problems in people’s lives. It can increase their risk of accidents, weaken their mental and physical health, and negatively impact their relationships, performance at work, and academic success.

Alcohol Awareness Month Events

Throughout April, you’ll find a variety of events at schools, community centers, religious institutions, and other locations across the country. Some of the events will be geared towards teenagers, helping them and their parents better understand how the misuse of alcohol can affect the body and brain^[3]. Adults will also find information and support, making them more aware of alcohol-related issues and resources for treatment.

A critical event is Alcohol-Free Weekend, which is scheduled this year from April 5 through April 7. The main point of this weekend is for people to see if they can smoothly get through three days without drinking any alcohol. Is this something you would struggle with? Would it affect your mood or thoughts, change how you relate to others, or possibly lead to withdrawal symptoms? There’s a chance you may not have noticed or fully realized the extent to which alcohol impacts your life.

Alcohol-Free Weekend is also a chance for family members to pay attention to the effects of alcohol on the dynamics of the home and to seek support of their own. With greater awareness of the issues, people are in a better position to make compassionate and effective choices that will help themselves and their loved ones.

When society treats alcohol-related problems as a shameful secret, people are less likely to turn to professional help. Raising awareness can show the public that addiction isn’t rare or a sign of having a poor character. Communities all around the U.S. are home to people who are silently grappling with alcohol addiction or unsafe alcohol use.

Treatment and Support Are Critical for Fighting Alcohol Problems

Professional treatment for alcohol misuse and addiction can help make people healthier, prevent their premature death, and improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, many people who could experience these benefits don’t enter into a treatment program. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 6.7 percent^[4] of adults who met the criteria for alcohol use disorder in the previous year underwent treatment for it.

Don’t hesitate to care for yourself and seek treatment. Some of the qualities of a top treatment program are:

The program employs reputable and caring professionals who specialize in addiction treatment and related issues. The individuals working for the program all have the appropriate licenses, accreditation, and level of experience for their jobs.
Instead of focusing exclusively on the addiction, the program insightfully addresses the whole person. Do you live with social isolation, depression, or anxiety? Which factors in your life might contribute to the addiction, and which factors could promote your healing and growth? Understanding the individual is key to finding personalized strategies to treat alcohol problems and help people become more healthy and fulfilled.
The program has a positive reputation built on successful outcomes and favorable reviews.

Contact Us for Treatment

When you reach out to Ocean Hills Recovery for treatment, you can expect dedicated care that’s responsive to your individual needs. Our comprehensive treatment approach addresses your physical health, mental well-being, and spiritual and emotional growth. We also help you develop habits and strategies to apply in day-to-day life to prevent relapse and maintain a healthy way of living. There should be no stigma attached to struggling with and healing from addiction or other alcohol-related problems.

Contact Ocean Hills Recovery today – regain control of your life.

Sources:

[1] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics

[2] https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/what-to-know/alcohol-use-disorder

[3] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body

[4] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

Alcohol Awareness Month Helps Fight Stigma