5 Tips for Navigating the Holidays if You’re Newly Sober

Top 5 Alcohol-related health issues, and options who need help

Every April the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) sponsors Alcohol Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Connecting the Dots: Opportunities for Recovery.”

On June 10, 2015, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) celebrated its 80th anniversary. Founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio by New York stockbroker, Bill W and Akron Surgeon, Dr. Bob S, both of whom were alcoholics, AA has helped countless people maintain sobriety over the past 80 years. AA groups and members quickly popped up all around the world.

An estimated 17 million Americans have an alcohol use disorder. For those who seek treatment, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is often part of their recovery. On June 10, 2014, AA will celebrate its 79th anniversary. 

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the health and social problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Many people are aware that heavy alcohol use poses dangers, but few realize how widespread the problems are.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depression. Substance Abuse. Alcohol dependence. These are some of the disorders that many men and women who bravely serve in the military return home to face.

The first thing to understand is that alcoholism is a disease, not just a bad habit. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a full 20% of adults actually have a genetic marker for alcoholism—and while genetics do not necessarily dictate outcome, people with the genetic marker do have a higher risk of becoming abusers of alcohol.  However, even if you do not have the genetic marker, you could still become an alcoholic. In other words, if you drink enough for a long enough period of time, you will become addicted.