April Marks 20^th Annual Observance of “Alcohol Awareness Month”

Gateway Rehab encourages greater community awareness of alcoholism as a disease and the potential deadly consequences of underage drinking

The 20^th annual observance of Alcohol Awareness Month occurs during the month of April.  Sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, the purpose of Alcohol Awareness Month is to heighten community awareness that alcoholism is a treatable disease, and that recovery is possible. 

Alcohol Awareness Month also emphasizes the problem of underage drinking and the devastating effects it can have on youth.  Among the alarming statistics related to underage drinking are:

• Alcohol is the most frequently used drug by high school seniors, and its use appears to be increasing along with the use of tobacco and marijuana.
   

• Alcohol is a factor in the four leading causes of death among persons ages 10 to 24: motor-vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide.
   

• Due to heavy or binge drinking, nearly one out of every five teenagers (16%) has experienced “black outs,” after which they could not remember what happened the previous evening.
   

• More than 67% of young people who start drinking before the age of 15 will try an illicit drug.  Children who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use an illicit drug, more than 22 times more likely to use marijuana, and 50 times more likely to use cocaine than children who never drank.

Gateway Rehab Center, the area’s leader in drug and alcohol prevention and treatment, has helped thousands of adults, youths, and families struggling with alcohol and other drug problems to lead healthy and productive lives. 

Dr. Neil Capretto, medical director of Gateway Rehab Center and a recognized expert in the drug and alcohol treatment field, and other experienced staff are available to discuss these issues and a variety of other topics related to addiction, treatment, and recovery, such as signs and symptoms of alcohol and other drug problems, codependency and family issues, intervention, self esteem issues, economic benefits of treatment, treatment effectiveness, etc.

For more information on Alcohol Awareness Month or to arrange an interview with Dr. Capretto or another Gateway treatment expert, call Gateway’s public relations office at 724-378-4461, ext. 1107.

Gateway Rehabilitation Center is a private, non-for-profit organization offering comprehensive prevention services and treatment for adults, youth and families with alcohol and other drug problems.  With locations throughout Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, Gateway provides services for over 9,000 individuals annually.