EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Health officials are bringing awareness to an issue that is common in Wisconsin. Acknowledging April is ’Alcohol Awareness Month‘, shining light on the risks many face when drinking.
Local support groups are sharing their take on reminding people they’re not alone if battling addiction.
Clinical manager for Lutheran Social Services, Brittany Nessel, explains.
“Alcohol has an addictive component to it. Alcohol withdrawal is deadly.” she said. “It’s the perfect time to have some of these conversations that are incredibly critical, and can be awkward or uncomfortable.”
The dangers of alcohol and can impact your physical health as well.
Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar explains how.
“Things like dementia, high blood pressure as well as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, as well as multiple types of cancer.” she said. “I’ve met 20-year-old’s who really have end stage liver disease because of heavy drinking. And I’ve sometimes met people who have been drinking much higher volumes for much of their lives and they don’t see those symptoms until much later.”
According to a study from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, more than 63% of the state’s population consumed alcohol in the past month. More than 20% of them were binge drinking, and about 39% of people were at greater risk for binge drinking on a weekly basis.
With that, addiction can come with a stigma.
“Especially when we don’t understand. I think everybody can, does or has known someone that has lived with or experienced the impact of some type of addiction.” Nessel said.
For anyone that has concerns about their drinking habits, there are ways to help.
“Quote unquote rehab right like this place you have to go to, only when things have gotten so so terrible. And that definitely exists and can be really important for some folks, but there’s a lot of other services that people can engage in much earlier.” Dr. Afshar said.
One example of helpful services for people with alcohol concerns is Lutheran Support Services in Eau Claire.
“And even if we don’t offer the service, we will certainly help people find or get to a service that makes sense” Nessel said.
Reminding people that addiction is an illness, and can happen to anyone.
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Health officials speak on Alcohol Awareness Month
