Today is the National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD). NASD held every year in the first week of April on that Thursday. NASD was created in 1999 by the National Institute of Health. The mission was to increase awareness of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
NASD was created in 1999 by the National Institute of Health. The mission was to increase awareness of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
NASD was established as was a way to help people become more aware of their drinking behaviors through a written self-assessment test looking at their alcohol usage. Each person is given individual advice according to what the issue is and given resources in their community of where they can get help. These screenings were meant to reduce the stigma of talking about mental health, including alcohol abuse and addictions. In 1999 over 50,000 people visited 1500 screening centers throughout the United States.
One of the big surprises in their findings is that there is a high rate of college students abusing alcohol and high level of binge drinking. This seems to be the culture of college campuses, and sometimes have led to alcohol related crimes, including deaths. Our society has made alcohol a part of our culture and is socially accepted. Many people do not recognize that they are abusing alcohol or that they are dependent on alcohol.
The average largest number of drinks consumed by binge drinkers on an occasion in the US in 2010 — CDC
Abusing alcohol can also lead to both physical health as well as mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, cancer, liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure, and heart problems.
On National Alcohol Screening Day, there will be many programs, resources, and screenings available throughout many communities. The public is encouraged to seek out local universities, colleges, community-based organization, and military installations to learn more about the resources available for alcohol abuse and addiction.
Join the on Twitter by following the hashtag #NASD
Image Source: “The average largest number of drinks consumed by binge drinkers on an occasion in the US in 2010. – CDC (via Wikipedia Commons)