Alcohol Awareness Information

April is National Alcohol Awareness month. Alcohol abuse is a major public health concern. To learn more about the effects, and what you can do to address this problem, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) web-site concerning alcohol awareness. (exit DHS)

A Proclamation from the Governor of Wisconsin, Jim Doyle.
 Governor’s Proclamation (PDF, 334KB)

Parents Who Host Lose the Most – Don’t be a Party to Underage Drinking (exit DHS)

Prevention is Key

DHS has invested in the area of prevention over the past five years. Wisconsin has developed over 100 community coalitions operated under the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth, over 27 Drug Free Community grantees, and 5 Regional Prevention Centers. We support 10 Brighter Future Initiative Programs that are aimed at improving healthy youth development with the goal of reducing or preventing substance abuse as well as other youth risk behaviors.

According to researchers from Iowa State University, substance abuse prevention programs are economically beneficial, with a nearly $10 return for every $1 invested in prevention!

Alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism

Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that can be treated and cured. Alcoholism is a disease that can be treated, but there is no current cure. Treatment is available and works for both alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse:

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions you may have a problem with alcohol.

• Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
• Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
• Does your drinking worry your family?
• Do you ever forget what you did while drinking?
• Do you get headaches or have a hangover after drinking?

When alcohol abuse has developed into an addiction:

According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism the following four additional symptoms indicate that an alcohol abuse problem has developed into an addiction to alcohol:

• Craving – A strong need, or urge, to drink
• Loss of control – Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun
• Physical dependence – Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking
• Tolerance – The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."

Additional Resources:

Additional Resources:

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator for Wisconsin (exit DHS)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and NCADI  information for April (exit DHS)

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (exit DHS)
NIAAA home page.  Publications, research, information and other resources.

Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment  (exit DHS)
S-BIRT information.

Last Revised: October 06, 2009