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Good morning,
This message is for all Department Heads and Supervisors. Please share the below information with your employees.
Thanks!
Jeannie
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 9:12 AM
To: Santin, Pamela
Subject: November Health Link: Thinking about Drinking
Thinking about Drinking
Holiday parties, family get-togethers, meeting friends after work, football tailgating. It’s the season for celebrating and enjoying a social drink or two. Or more? Do you think that “everyone” drinks? Or even that everyone drinks a lot? You might be surprised.
The National Institutes of Health surveyed 43,000 adults nationwide about their alcohol use and found
- 35% don’t drink at all
- 37% always drink at low-risk levels
- 28% drink at levels that put them at risk for alcoholism, liver disease, and other problems
oncerned about what group you’re in? Or simply thinking about cutting back a bit?
Rethinking Drinking http://RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov is a fantastic tool from the National Institutes of Health. You can learn what low-risk drinking versus heavy drinking is and signs that drinking is causing harm. There are also interactive tips, tools and resources to help you cut down or quit drinking.
What exactly counts as one drink? Well, you can’t just get a bigger glass and call it one drink. A standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. What does that translate into?
- 12 oz. beer ( a 22 oz. beer = 2 drinks)
- 8 oz. malt liquor
- 5 oz. wine
- 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits – gin, vodka, whiskey, etc.
Is it possible to drink in moderation? For most people the answer is yes. But for the 18 million Americans with alcoholism, it’s safest to quit. Your doctor or other health professional can help. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers some tips on drinking in moderation http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/ViewTopic.aspx?topicID=16
Did you know that people can become more sensitive to alcohol as they get older? Sometimes problems with alcohol are mistaken for other conditions related to aging. People can develop a drinking problem at any age and the National Institute on Aging wants you to have the facts on alcohol use in seniors http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/AlcoholBooklet/
Alcohol abuse touches almost every family in some way. If you have a parent, grandparent, sibling, or other close relative with alcoholism does that mean you are at increased risk? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism can help answer your questions http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/FamilyHistory/famhist.htm
It’s up to you whether and when to change your drinking. There’s lots of help and support if you’re ready to make a change. In this season of celebration, celebrate the fact that you’re in control of your choices!
ealthy Regards,
Pam
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