Alcohol Awareness April by Granny Anarchy substance abuse may be appropriate for anyone. Although U.S. culture is rife with “wine o'clock” and other normalizations of alcohol culture - there are sports bars, happy hours, and beer vendors at art festivals; a well-known “war on opioids” exists, but the phrase “alcohol epidemic” is practically unheard of there is still a stigma about substance abuse, including AUD. National Alcohol Awareness Month was created in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD). It is a public health program and awareness campaign to increase education and understanding of the causes and treatment of alcohol misuse. Its aim is to reduce the stigma of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), formerly referred to as alcoholism. The theme this year is
“Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘rite of passage.’” The target audience is young people and their parents – although messaging for and assistance with AUD and
People may feel pressured stigmatized - for not drinking in social situations, but individuals who may need to curtail or cease alcohol consumption (yet are having trouble doing so) may also feel the stigma of shame and embarrassment. Suspecting or confirming a diagnosis of AUD may make one feel socially awkward or like a failure. There may be logistical and financial barriers to treatment. Anticipating and going through these changes can be confusing and unpleasant, which is why humans often respond with denial before finding acceptance and compassion.