FORT KNOX, Ky. — Few would argue against enjoying a glass of wine, beer or bourbon with a nice meal. But what about two or three, or four glasses? How much is too much?

As we move into the third week of April’s National Alcohol Awareness Month, these questions and more should be on our minds.

The author encourages readers to make a change for the better this National Alcohol Awareness Month by finding alternative ways to drink responsibly.

While making the community aware of this subject, I am not intending to provide answers to alcohol-related issues or deter its use. My intent here is to start a cultural shift by generating conversations on how to drink responsibly, how to socialize without the use of alcohol, and how to make low-risk decisions.

In 1987, the affiliates of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) mobilized the annual Alcohol Awareness Month Campaign across America to provide awareness, education and resources on the cause of alcohol use disorder, prevention strategies and treatment options for one of America’s largest health problems. Fort Knox’s Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) joins these efforts to raise awareness among Soldiers, civilians, federal employees, contractors and family members of alcohol-related issues.

The use of alcohol is often associated with celebrations, relaxation and as a complimentary beverage to many of our favorite dishes. The danger lies in not monitoring how much we consume and how often, which can lead to a false sense that we are consuming it at safe levels.

Don’t Be The Next “I”

There is prevalent thinking dating back hundreds of years that alcohol needs to be present to have a good time. It is socially acceptable in many cultures and very common to see at many social gatherings, private parties and sporting events. However, the excessive use of alcohol impacts the lives of many families.

During the remainder of the month, consider focusing on building some new habits that incorporate low-risk decisions when consuming alcohol. Choose non-alcoholic beverages if you plan to drive or operate heavy machinery. Consume no more than two standard drinks daily – i.e. 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. of distilled alcohol – with one hour between them. Following these guidelines will prevent impairment issues and long-term health problems.

By practicing responsible drinking or prevention, we all will protect the things we value. Identifying things that are important in our daily lives will assist in making those low-risk decisions. Simply put, if we fail to plan, then we should plan to fail.

During this year’s Alcohol Awareness Month, make a decision to make a change. Like the ASAP slogan says, “Don’t be the next ‘I.’”

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Editor’s Note: Get additional information on alcohol use from https://www.samhsa.gov, https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol, or the Fort Knox information page https://home.army.mil/knox/application/files/1016/6905/1095/Community_Wellness_Resources_2022Nov.pdf

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