Alcohol Abuse Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Gino Reyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - During the month of April Airmen of the 4th Fighter Wing celebrate National Alcohol Awareness.

Alcohol awareness month has been sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence since 1987 and began as a way to inform the American public about alcoholism.The goal is to provide awareness of alcohol abuse and encourage people to make smarter decisions about alcohol consumption.

"Alcoholism can adversely affect your physical health, mental health, job responsibilities and family," said1st Lt. Shawn Knight, 4th Medical Operations Squadron physician assistant. "There is not an absolute cure and is often a lifetime battle to abstain."

In 2011 the 4th Fighter Wing had a total of 44 Driving While Intoxicated incidents, which included both active duty members and dependents. So far in 2012 there has only been seven DWI incidents.

"The number of alcohol related incidents has went down since last year," said Mr. Daniel Hux, 4th Security Forces Squadron investigator. "Alcohol lowers your common sense and decision making abilities and when put into otherwise normal situations alcohol can cause problems.

Some of the issues that lead to drinking alcohol in excess are peer pressure, relationship issues and stressful lifestyles. Serious health complications such as digestive-tract bleeding, brain disorders and depression/suicide are also risk factors associated with excessive alcohol use.

"It only takes one mistake while you are drunk to damage your reputation, harm your family or friends or ruin/end your life or that of another person," said Knight. "Think before you consume alcohol."

For more information on Alcohol Abuse or for help with Alcohol related problem contact mental health at (919) 722-1883