April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Established in 1987 by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD), this annual public health campaign aims to increase awareness and education about alcohol consumption and abuse. Increasing awareness and normalizing conversations about alcohol can reduce the overall stigma of alcohol addiction and help you reframe your relationship with drinking. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of alcohol awareness and what you can do to help.

Why is Alcohol Awareness Important?

• According to statistics by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), 1-in-10 Americans over the age of 12 have Alcohol Use Disorder.

• 24.0% of people aged 18 years and older reported binge drinking in the last 30 days.

• Alcohol is the most used substance by youth and adults in the United States and it claims thousands of lives per year. An estimated 95,000 Americans die from alcohol-related causes annually. It is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

• Worldwide, up to 3 million people die every year as a result of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol Statistics in Idaho

• An estimated 16.0% of adults over the age of 18 binge drink at least once per month.

• A statewide average of 732 annual deaths are attributed to excessive alcohol use.

• 60.8% of excessive alcohol use deaths in the state are from chronic causes, such as Alcohol Use Disorder.

• The 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita increased by 43.6% from 2015 to 2019. 

How to Raise Alcohol Awareness 

So what can you do to help? Participating in Alcohol Awareness Month is a major way you can help reduce the impact of alcohol abuse, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Here are some ways to raise alcohol awareness year-round:

• Volunteer with recovery centers or shelters that provide services for those struggling with alcohol abuse.

• Encourage friends, family, and loved ones who struggle with alcohol addiction to get the help they need by practicing open, honest communication about alcohol.

• Spread awareness through social media posts.

• Idaho Gives 2023 is a statewide non-profit event that will run May 1 - May 4, 2023. Since its inaugural event in 2013, Idahoans have raised nearly $20 Million for participating non-profit organizations. Support The Walker Center and our mission to assist those in recovery by choosing one of several donation tiers offered by the Idaho Gives campaign. Your generous contribution can change the life of someone in need of counseling, residential addiction treatment, or outpatient services. Visit Idaho Gives to lend a helping hand.

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If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to alcohol, reach out to The Walker Center today. We are proud to be one of the best drug and rehabilitation facilities in Idaho. Our team of treatment professionals will work with you to develop an individualized plan to help you live a life free of substance abuse. To learn more about the types of programs and therapies we offer, get in touch with a member of our team here.