Facts About Alcohol That Will Have You Saying, “Oh Wow!”
When it comes to April and Wisconsin, alcohol may or may not immediately come to mind, but there’s a strong connection between the two. April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, and Wisconsin ranks third highest among U.S. States for adult alcohol consumption.
Alcohol consumption can run the gamut, from an occasional drink to binge drinking and heavy drinking, both of which are considered excessive alcohol use. Sometimes just being aware of the facts can influence how you view alcohol and the choices you make when considering a drink. Here are a few for you to consider:
- It bears repeating, Wisconsin ranks third highest in the U.S. for adult alcohol consumption and Native American statistics in Wisconsin are similar.
- Binge drinking refers to consuming four or more drinks on one occasion for women or five or more drinks on one occasion for men.
- Heavy drinking refers to consuming 8 or more drinks per week for a woman or 15 or more drinks per week for a man.
- Each year in the U.S., excessive alcohol use is responsible for 140,000 deaths.
- Excessive alcohol use can cause heart disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, liver disease, certain cancers and death.
- Over time, it can also lead to learning, memory and mental health problems.
One final, sobering fact to consider, adults are role models. Your behavior can influence impressionable young family members’ future choices surrounding alcohol.
This Alcohol Awareness Month, we’d like you to know that reducing or eliminating the amount of alcohol you consume can greatly improve your quality of life. If you’d like support to make healthier choices surrounding alcohol or other substances, Oneida Behavioral Health is here to help without judgement. You can learn more about our confidential and culturally sensitive services including Same Day Substance Abuse Care at: https://oneida-nsn.gov/resources/health/behavioral-health/behavioral-health-focus/#Same-Day-Substance-Abuse-Care, or you can reach us by telephone Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 920.490.3790. If you’ve paused to think about it, please make the call.
