Unhealthy alcohol use is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
Risky drinking is associated with:
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, liver and breast
- Liver disease
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
- Pancreatitis
- Injuries and accidents
- Miscarriages / still birth
- Depression and Suicide
(Source 'Rethinking Drinking', Stop Unhealthy Alcohol Use NOW)
In 1999, the National Institutes of Health designated the first Thursday of the first full week of April as National Alcohol Screening Day.
The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a simple and effective method of screening for unhealthy alcohol use, defined as risky or hazardous consumption, or any alcohol use disorder. The AUDIT has become the world’s most widely used alcohol screening instrument since its publication in 1989. It is currently available in approximately 40 languages. In addition to identifying Alcohol Use Disorder, this tool can help identify alcohol dependence and specific consequences of harmful drinking.
For practitioners treating people aged 9-18 there is an adapted tool for screening to quickly identify youth at risk for alcohol-related problems.
Consider taking the occasion of National Alcohol Screening Day to learn more about unhealthy alcohol use, excessive drinking and alcohol use disorder!
