As the old adage goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” During April in Iowa, spring cleaning commences in our homes and offices, while corn planting begins for many farmers. April is the time for preparation and renewal. This period of rejuvenation is an opportunity to focus on self-improvement and wellness; it is a chance for us to water our healthy choices and keep an eye out for any unhealthy habits we can weed out.
April is also Alcohol Awareness Month. Often, we focus on preventing underage alcohol use and promoting support and recovery for those who have developed the disease of alcoholism. These areas of focus are essential for our families and communities. However, it is important that those of us who are non-alcoholic adults also receive education about lower-risk alcohol use and are able to reflect on our drinking choices. The ability to legally purchase alcohol and the wide social acceptance of drinking may lead us to forget that there are health risks associated with excessive alcohol use, even for healthy people of the legal drinking age.
According to the National Institute of Health, there are guidelines that we can follow to ensure we are not putting ourselves at risk due to our alcohol consumption. These guidelines recommend consuming no more than four drinks in a single day and no more than 14 drinks in a single week for adult men. Adult women are recommended to consume no more than three drinks in a single day and no more than 7 drinks in a single week. For those who are under the age of 21, are taking certain medicines, or are in recovery, no amount of alcohol consumption is considered safe.
This April is the perfect time for us to evaluate our own use of alcohol. Does our own drinking fall within the low-risk guidelines? Are there some changes we would like to make to benefit our overall health and wellbeing? Would reducing or eliminating alcohol use be an appropriate choice for us? Tools and tips for “rethinking our drinking” are available at https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/. Anyone who feels that alcohol use has become a significant problem in their own life or the life of a loved one should not hesitate to contact Jackson Recovery Centers at (712) 234-2300 or online at https://www.jacksonrecovery.com/.
April is also Alcohol Awareness Month. Often, we focus on preventing underage alcohol use and promoting support and recovery for those who have developed the disease of alcoholism. These areas of focus are essential for our families and communities. However, it is important that those of us who are non-alcoholic adults also receive education about lower-risk alcohol use and are able to reflect on our drinking choices. The ability to legally purchase alcohol and the wide social acceptance of drinking may lead us to forget that there are health risks associated with excessive alcohol use, even for healthy people of the legal drinking age.
According to the National Institute of Health, there are guidelines that we can follow to ensure we are not putting ourselves at risk due to our alcohol consumption. These guidelines recommend consuming no more than four drinks in a single day and no more than 14 drinks in a single week for adult men. Adult women are recommended to consume no more than three drinks in a single day and no more than 7 drinks in a single week. For those who are under the age of 21, are taking certain medicines, or are in recovery, no amount of alcohol consumption is considered safe.
This April is the perfect time for us to evaluate our own use of alcohol. Does our own drinking fall within the low-risk guidelines? Are there some changes we would like to make to benefit our overall health and wellbeing? Would reducing or eliminating alcohol use be an appropriate choice for us? Tools and tips for “rethinking our drinking” are available at https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/. Anyone who feels that alcohol use has become a significant problem in their own life or the life of a loved one should not hesitate to contact Jackson Recovery Centers at (712) 234-2300 or online at https://www.jacksonrecovery.com/.
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