April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Published April 20, 2015
By Mr. Dan Norton
914 AW Director of Psychological Health

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- April is Alcohol Awareness Month and in light of this please take a moment to ask yourself this important question:  How well do you know alcohol and what is your relationship with alcohol?

In moderation alcohol intake is not considered an issue however, there are many people in the military and civilians alike who will fall prey to the negative effects of alcohol.   No one knows what causes problems with alcohol. Most experts think that it may be a combination of a person's; Genes, Environment, and Psychology (such as being impulsive, low self-esteem, or emotional issues, etc.). Drinking may mask depression or other mood or anxiety disorders. If you have a mood disorder, it may become more noticeable when you stop drinking. Professional providers will treat any mental disorders as well as the alcohol abuse. In our profession we call this, "self-medicating."

This is a fairly straight forward definition: Alcoholism, formerly called alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, is the more severe end of the alcohol use disorder spectrum. It is a destructive pattern of alcohol use that includes tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance, using more alcohol or using it for longer than planned, and trouble reducing its use or inability to use it in moderation. Other potential symptoms include spending an inordinate amount of time getting, using, or recovering from the use of alcohol, compromised functioning, and/or continuing to use alcohol despite an awareness of the detrimental effects it is having on one's life.

Now let's look at some facts and stats:
--The younger you are when you start drinking; the more likely you are to have a problem with alcohol.
-- Reserve and National Guard personnel and younger service members who deploy with reported combat exposures are at increased risk of new-onset heavy weekly drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol-related problems. JAMA study, 8/2008 (updated 2013 same results).
--Alcohol is a depressant.
--If you have a parent with an alcohol use disorder, you are more at risk for alcohol problems --If you're asking yourself if you have a problem, you probably do.
--Alcohol use is also higher among men and women in military service than among civilians. Almost half of active duty service members (47 percent) reported binge drinking in 2008, (updated 2013 with same results).
--Alcohol poisoning occurs when you drink too much alcohol too fast, which can lead to coma or even death.
--The worst thing to do when a person has had too much to drink is to leave them alone or lying down. They need to be kept awake and moving-- and they need medical help.
--Alcohol-related accidents are the #1 killer of teens.
-- A new study suggests that heavy alcohol consumption for young adults, even if only at weekends, may be damaging to their DNA --A BAL (Blood Alcohol Level) of .1 means you have 12 times more likelihood of being in an accident.
--A BAL of .2 means you have 60 times more likelihood of being in an accident.
--Binge drinking can lead to permanent brain damage; coma, then death, and can happen in less than an hour.
--Some of the social effects of alcohol are: unprotected sex, pregnancy, STD's, date rape.
--The National Institute of Health reports:   "Military Personnel often use alcohol in an attempt to cope with stress, boredom, loneliness, and the lack of other recreational activities. The easy availability of alcohol, ritualized drinking opportunities, and inconsistent policies contribute to a work culture that facilitates heavy and binge drinking in this population."
-- Domestic abuse occurs in 75% of cases where one or both partners are intoxicated.

Finally, I have included a link to a little booklet with some self-taking tests that may provide some insight for you or a family member.

https://afrc.eim.us.af.mil/sites/914aw/Custorientedsites/sgoh/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/sites/914aw/Custorientedsites/sgoh/Shared%20Documents/Rethinking_Drinking.pdf&action=default

Just remember - Be honest with yourself! The important point to keep in mind is that the more alcohol that is consumed in an abusive manner, the more likely it is that the drinker will have significant issues. It is progressive.

For further information, guidance or just wanting to further explore the issue:

Psychological Health
Dan Norton: 236-3489
Private setting - with many outside resources Bldg. 803

ASTS - Medical: Your Primary Care provider: 236-2300 Bldg. 802

Mal "Steve" Brown:
Drug Demand Reduction Program: 236-3526 Bldg. 802

References: National Institute of Health-US National Library of Medicine JAMA National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

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APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

April is Alcohol Awareness Month