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Alcohol Abuse - National Alcohol Screening Day

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The Council and PRO-ACT coordinate Alcohol Screening Day Activities

by Dana Brady

Taking action against alcohol misuse is not easy, but, not taking action can be deadly.  So, where do you draw the line? Most Americans know that health screenings, such as having their blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly, are vital to protecting their health. They may not know that screenings about alcohol use are just as critical.

To educate individuals about the risks associated with alcohol use and how to make safer, smart choices, Bucks County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (The Council) and Pennsylvania Recovery Organization – Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT), working in conjunction with Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, will observe National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) on Thursday, April 5, 2007 by offering free and anonymous screenings for alcohol problems, information on the health consequences of at-risk drinking, the opportunity to talk to someone about their concerns and, if appropriate, referral to a treatment program.

Studies show that men who drink more than 2 drinks per day, women who drink more than 1 drink per day, and seniors who drink more than 1 drink per day are at greater risk for significant health and other alcohol-related problems. Women, older adults and anyone who takes prescription medications are more vulnerable to additional alcohol-related health risks. Pregnant women or those who are trying to become pregnant should not use alcohol at all.

“It is essential to raise awareness about the importance of screening for alcohol problems, this can help save lives,” said Beverly Haberle, Executive Director of The Council. “Many people realize far too late that alcohol misuse can lead to incredible losses.”

National Alcohol Screening Day® is an annual event that provides information about alcohol and health as well as free, anonymous screenings for alcohol-use disorders.  NASD’s yearly screenings help normalize the process of regularly checking personal use of alcohol, and keeping current about individual health and safety where alcohol use is concerned.  Screenings aid in early detection of alcohol use disorders.  Event sites are located across the nation in community, health care, college, military and employment settings.

“Many individuals may not realize that the way they use alcohol can put them at higher risk for a variety of life problems,” said Tim Philpot, Associate Director of The Council. “Brief alcohol screenings provide individualized feedback to those screened so that they can modify their behavior to reduce their risk.”

NASD events are designed to provide outreach, screening and education about alcohol’s effects on health for the general public and to spread the message that misuse of alcohol can result in adverse health effects even for people who are not alcohol dependent.

Please contact The Council/PRO-ACT at 215-345-6644 or for additional site information.  Sites currently registered to hold NASD activities include:



ABOUT THE COUNCIL
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Bucks County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (The Council) is a private non-profit prevention, education, advocacy, assessment, intervention, and recovery support organization, serving the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia. The Council provides a wide range of services to reduce the impact of addiction and improve related health issues for the entire community including families, schools, businesses, individuals and the community, regardless of ability to pay, ethnicity, race, gender, age or sexual orientation. The Council, founded in 1975, is a member of a nationwide affiliate network of The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. The Council’s main office is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. For information or help with alcohol or other substances, call 1-800-221-6333. To learn more about The Council, visit http://www.bccadd.org.


ABOUT PRO-ACT
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PRO-ACT, Pennsylvania Recovery Organization - Achieving Community Together, is a grassroots advocacy initiative founded to promote the rights of - and ensure opportunities for - those still suffering from the disease of addiction, members of the recovery community, and their family members who wish to advocate in southeastern Pennsylvania (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties).  PRO-ACT was founded to be a voice for advocacy and change.

For more information, resources and events related to alcohol abuse, see the PhillyHealthInfo.org Alcohol Abuse page.