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APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTHPeople drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax.? Alcohol often has a strong effect on people – and throughout history, we’ve struggled to understand and manage alcohol’s power.? Alcohol causes us to act and feel differently. What is too much for one person may not affect another. It’s not always clear why some people become addicted while others do not.1 The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) sponsors Alcohol Awareness Month to increase public awareness and understanding, reduce stigma and encourage local communities to focus on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues. Drinking too much alcohol increases people’s risk of injuries, violence, drowning, liver disease, and some types of cancer. The good news? We can all do our part to prevent alcohol misuse or abuse.How can Alcohol Awareness Month make a difference? We can use this month to raise awareness about alcohol abuse and take action to prevent it, both at home and in the community. Here are just a few ideas: ? Encourage friends or family members to make small changes, like keeping track of their drinking and setting drinking limits. ? Share tips with parents to help them talk with their kids about the risks of alcohol use. ? Ask doctors and nurses to talk to their patients about the benefits of drinking less or quitting.If you choose to drink it’s important to practice safe drinking habits. Alcohol misuse is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States.2 The Audit – C is a quick screening tool to help determine if your drinking habits may put you at risk. The definition of one drink (unit of alcohol) as listed below is helpful as you evaluate your consumption of alcohol.This is one unit of alcohol……and each of these is more than one unitAUDIT – C QuestionsScoring systemYour score01234How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?NeverMonthlyor less2 - 4 times per month2 - 3 times per week4+ times per weekHow many units of alcohol do you drink on a typical day when you are drinking?1 -23 - 45 - 67 - 910+How often have you had 6 or more units if female, or 8 or more if male, on a single occasion in the last year?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost dailyScoring:A total of 5+ indicates increasing or higher risk drinking.An overall total score of 5 or above is AUDIT-C positive.If your score is 5 or more answering the rest of the Audit questions may give you useful information about your drinking. For information, or if you have questions or concerns, please contact the EAP at 703-228-8720.468630090170SCORE00SCOREScore from AUDIT- C (other side) Remaining AUDIT questionsQuestionsScoring systemYour score01234How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost dailyHow often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of your drinking?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost dailyHow often during the last year have you needed an alcoholic drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost dailyHow often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost dailyHow often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost dailyHave you or somebody else been injured as a result of your drinking?NoYes, but not in the last yearYes, during the last yearHas a relative or friend, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested that you cut down?NoYes, but not in the last yearYes, during the last year480060033020TOTAL = = 00TOTAL = = Scoring: 0 – 7 Lower risk, 8 – 15 Increasing risk, 16 – 19 Higher risk, 20+ Possible dependenceTOTAL Score equals AUDIT C Score (above) +Score of remaining questions1.?Mokdad AH, Marks JS, Stroup DF, Gerberding JL. Actual causes of death in the United States, 2000.?JAMA.?2004;291(10):1238–45. doi: 10.1001/jama.291.10.1238.?[PubMed]?[Cross Ref] ................
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