Alcohol Awareness Month: Promoting Health and Wellbeing

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, serving as an important time to reflect on the role that alcohol plays in our lives and the impact it has on our health. At Oneida Behavioral Health, we are committed to raising awareness about the potential dangers of alcohol use and providing support for those who are looking for help. Alcohol use can affect not just ourselves, but anyone within our sphere of influence.

While alcohol use may be a normalized as part of social customs, when consumed excessively or over sustained periods of time, it can lead to serious physical, cognitive and mental health issues. Chronic alcohol misuse can lead to liver disease, heart problems and digestive issues. Even short-term alcohol use can impair your ability to reason and make good decisions, and it can slow your physical reaction time in response to unexpected circumstances. Beyond the physical effects, alcohol can have a significant impact on mental health, contributing to depression and anxiety.

Knowing whether or not alcohol is a challenge in your life or that of a loved one is important for early intervention. Here are some questions you can ask to help determine whether alcohol use could be a challenge:

• Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking?
• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
• Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?
• Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (“eye-opener”) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

If you’re looking for ideas to realign your habits surrounding alcohol use, consider the following.

• Set personal limits
• Avoid triggers or situations that may cause you stress
• Seek alternative ways to relax or socialize
• Engage in hobbies, physical activity or spending time with loved ones

If you’ve decided that you’d like help walking away from alcohol, we’re here to help. At Oneida Behavioral Health, we offer a range of outpatient services designed to support those addressing alcohol use. Our team of trained professionals and recovery coaches with real life experience are here to support you on your own path to sobriety.

For those seeking treatment for substance abuse, Oneida Behavioral Health offers same day substance abuse care Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (you must be present by 10:00 a.m.). Care is available on a first come, first served basis at 2640 West Point Road, Green Bay, WI 54304.

Find more information on how Oneida Behavioral Health can help, call (920) 490-3790 or visit us online at https://oneida-nsn.gov/resources/health/behavioral-health/.

03192025