Is Alcohol Abuse Hereditary?

My grandfather was an alcoholic. Every day at noon, he would mix up his “tea,” which wasn’t tea at all. All his errands had to be run before noon, so he could sit downstairs the rest of the day and drink. Dewar’s and water, or cheap wine and Coke, all afternoon and evening. He was a little scary when he had been drinking; I never knew if he would be in a cheerful and funny mood, or an angry, more dangerous mood. My father was known as quite a party guy before I was born. My younger brother claims to … Continue reading

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Yes, we should keep an eye on our drinking habits (and our loved ones’ drinking habits!) all year round. But April has been declared Alcohol Awareness Month by the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. April 8th is the kickoff for Alcohol Awareness Month. People around the country can participate in National Alcohol Screening Day — a chance at a free, anonymous screening to see if your drinking habits are considered risky. You are also welcome to meet one-on-one with a health care professional to discuss any concerns. Last year, more than two hundred thousand people took advantage of … Continue reading