April is alcohol awareness month. We may be exposed to pleasant advertisements and messages for alcoholic drinks, so it is important to remember the risks associated with alcohol use. If you are of legal drinking age and choose to drink, please drink responsibly. Excessive alcohol use is a risk factor for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, and cancer. Additionally, excessive alcohol use is a risk factor for injuries like falls and car accidents. Alcohol use by pregnant women can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other negative pregnancy consequences. If you consume alcohol, please do so responsibly and follow the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines for drinking in moderation of no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one drink a day for women. Help prevent underage drinking by keeping alcohol away from individuals under the age of 21, the legal age to consume alcohol. Youth who consume alcohol face additional risks related to early drinking, including changes in brain development and memory problems. Underage drinking is also associated with alcohol use disorder, also known as alcoholism, later in life.

If you struggle with alcohol or other substance use, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Find out more about alcohol.