National Screening Day is April 6, and some experts describe it as the nation’s “wake-up call.” 2021 marks the third annual National Alcohol Screening Day, and it’s as good a time as ever for yourself, your friends, and your family members to be screened for an alcohol use disorder.
What Is National Alcohol Addiction Screening Day?
National Alcohol Screening Day is a day when people can visit free, anonymous screening locations around the United States. At those centers, trained professionals will talk to each person about their alcohol use and educate them on the different types of drinking problems that people may have. Part of the goal of this national event is to engage with the communities near those facilities and educate more people on how alcohol could impact their lives.
Who Supports National Alcohol Screening Day?
National Alcohol Screening Day is presented by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as well as other organizations, such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the nonprofit group Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
Other organizations that support National Screening Day include:
- The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
- The American Council on Alcoholism
- Eli Lily and Company
- The American College Health Association
Additionally, many other groups and organizations throughout the United States are in support of this special day.
April Is Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence founded. The entire month focuses on educating communities about alcohol and offering support for those struggling with a substance use disorder.
Every year, National Alcohol Screening Day occurs as a part of this important public health month. Screening for alcoholism is vital because it is the first step in the recovery process.
Where Can You Get Screened for Alcoholism?
During Alcohol Awareness Month and National Alcohol Screening Day, you can get screened at one of many locations such as:
- Local colleges
- Military installations
- Online
- Inside select government agencies
- In designated businesses
Of course, people always have the option of visiting their primary care providers or calling their local rehabilitation program, such as Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, to discuss their options for having a screening.
What Alcohol Addiction Screening Tools Are Available?
The alcohol screening tools that experts use to complete the screening include an audit or short assessment. Some of the questions that might be on this assessment include:
- How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before (when drinking alcohol)?
- Have you ever felt like you needed to stop or cut down on how much you drink?
- Have people annoyed you when asking about your drinking habits?
- Are you, or have you ever been, guilty about how much you’ve had to drink?
Specific screening tools that experts may use on National Screening Day include AUDIT-C and DAST-10. Both aim to identify signs of alcoholism so that the person who has those risks can learn about them and determine if they would like help to find treatment for a substance use disorder.
Stop Alcohol Dependency with Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we are standing by to take your call and are happy to help you find where to get screened near you. Our program treats adolescents who are struggling with alcohol addiction. Therefore, we are here to help raise awareness and to give you more information about the harm of alcohol dependency in teens.
If you are concerned about your teen’s drinking, we can help. Call us today at 866.300.5275 to learn more about our services.
