April is Alcohol Awareness Month and the Division of Behavioral Health in Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has an important message about alcohol use. For those struggling with alcohol use and/or any other addiction — help is available, and recovery is possible.
Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Approximately 95,000 Americans die from alcohol-related causes each year. In 2020, there were 123 alcohol-attributable deaths in Nebraska.
Nationally, and in Nebraska, alcohol is the most misused substance. Results of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), demonstrated that one out of four people who drink have abused alcohol in the last year. Of people ages 18 or older, 25.8% engaged in binge drinking in the past month and 6.3% reported that they engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks for a man and four drinks or more for a woman in two hours.
Young adults are especially at risk. In Nebraska in 2020, 12.4% of young adults reported driving under the influence of alcohol during the past year. Prevention efforts have reduced young adult binge drinking throughout Nebraska. Data shows binge drinking has decreased among both genders from 2013 (50.8% males, 44.1% females) to 2020 (34.0% males, 30.3% females).
Are you concerned about a loved one’s alcohol use? A few suggestions for starting a meaningful conversation:
- Try to be objective and open.
- Ask open-ended questions.
- Let your loved one know they’re being heard.Â
- Discuss the negative effects of alcohol.
Please take the time to address these concerns, as assistance is available in the Panhandle and virtually for those ready to receive assistance.
Source: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/April-is-Alcohol-Awareness-Month-.aspx