National Alcohol Screening Day - Let’s say no to alcohol, and yes to a healthy body and mind. Let’s take action!

National Alcohol Screening Day 2024 – April 4, 2024

National Alcohol Screening Day is observed on the Thursday of the first full week of April. This day aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency. Did you know that alcoholism is partially genetic? Yes, your harmful habit might even be passed to your kids. This day is important to us as it serves as a reminder of how our dependency can affect our future generations. This holiday is also to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and to help individuals overcome their alcohol addiction.

History of National Alcohol Screening Day

Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States where one in 12 adults have alcohol abuse disorder. In addition to this, millions of individuals engage in risky behaviors like binge drinking and daily drinking. This is what National Alcohol screening Day aims to achieve — to create awareness of the harmful effects of drinking. In 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (N.C.A.D.D.) established National Alcohol Screening Day as the initial day of Alcohol Awareness Month.Every year, this day is recognized to educate the public on the harmful effects alcohol can have on a person. On this day, there will be several alcohol screening centers located at colleges, military installations, designated businesses, selected government agencies, and online. Alcohol screening tools help medical and mental health professionals screen individuals for alcohol abuse and help them get the appropriate treatment. All these events are confidential and are sponsored by the Screening For Mental Health organization.Frequent consumption of alcohol can lead to many health issues and can also affect your personal life. Alcohol addiction does not affect just one person, it affects their jobs, families, and communities too. Seeking alcohol treatment is highly recommended by all medical and mental health professionals. Alcohol withdrawal from yourself can also cause seizures and even death. So, if you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, it’s time to help them by putting them on the path of recovery.

National Alcohol Screening Day timeline

1987
Alcohol Awareness Month

The National Council on Alcoholism (N.C.A.) — later known as N.C.A.D.D. — organizes the first Alcohol Awareness Month in April.

1990
The Renaming

The NCA changes its name to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to accommodate education on alcoholism and other drugs.

1999
The First National Alcohol Screening Day

The First National Alcohol Screening Day is held by the National Institute of Health.

2000
A Rise In Awareness

Around 1,500 sites across the U.S. recognize the holiday and partake in its observance.

National Alcohol Screening Day FAQs

What is alcohol screening?

An alcohol screening test measures how much alcohol is in the air you breathe out and shows your current levels of intoxication.

How to know if you have a problem with alcohol?

If you end up drinking more than you thought you would or for longer than you were going to, it might be an early warning sign.

What happens if you drink every day?

Daily alcohol consumption can cause scarring of the liver tissue and can even lead to liver cirrhosis.

How to Observe National Alcohol Screening Day

  1. Take the screening test

    If you feel like you’ve been drinking too much lately, you can take an alcohol screening test and take further action to lower your alcohol dependence.

  2. Help someone you know

    If there is someone in your family or friends circle who needs help, you can take them to the screening test and help them pursue counseling.

  3. Share your alcohol awareness story

    Voice out your thoughts and talk about the harmful effects of alcohol abuse on social media and raise awareness.

5 Facts About Alcohol Everyone Should Know

  1. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are different

    Alcohol abuse is drinking in a manner that causes problems in a person’s life, alcoholism is compulsive drinking or the feeling of needing a drink.

  2. Alcohol kills

    Alcohol kills nearly 88,000 Americans a year, making it the third leading preventable cause of death.

  3. Binge-drinking can be fatal

    Binge-drinking or drinking excessively within a short amount of time can cause you to simply stop breathing.

  4. Sudden alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous

    Withdrawing from alcohol suddenly can be very dangerous to your body.

  5. Alcohol can be good, in moderation

    Alcohol may be good for you in reducing stress in low doses.

Why National Alcohol Screening Day Is Important

  1. We need this day!

    Every year in the U.S. many teens lose their lives due to alcohol addiction and many families are ruined by alcohol. So, National Alcohol Screening Day is a much-needed one!

  2. Alcohol is not fun anymore

    Alcohol has been long promoted as a fun drink and it makes people think that it is a norm to drink alcohol. This in turn leads to drinking problems. This day can create awareness against it.

  3. Alcohol is not it

    Alcohol is not the only way to have a good time and reduce stress, there are many other activities like spending time with your family and playing with your friends that you try.

National Alcohol Screening Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 April 7 Thursday
2023 April 6 Thursday
2024 April 4 Thursday
2025 April 10 Thursday
2026 April 9 Thursday