Iowa City not exempt from alcoholism
Each year in America, advertisers spend more than $2 billion to promote the consumption of alcohol. You know the names — Budweiser and others — and you can probably recite their commercials in your sleep.
It should come as no surprise, therefore, that alcoholism is an epidemic in our country.
And in Iowa City.
The University of Iowa distinguishes itself as an academic institution in a variety of important rankings. One that has become more troubling over the past few years, however, is the title of “No. 1 Party School in America.”
At the Abbey Addiction Treatment Center in Bettendorf, about half of our clients come from Iowa City and the surrounding communities. We work daily with the University of Iowa Hospital to help its patients in crisis from alcoholism and other addictions.
In order to help bring attention to this ongoing crisis, April has been designated as “Alcohol Awareness Month.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, about three in 10 adult Americans engage in “heavy drinking” that puts them at risk for a wide range of health concerns. “Heavy drinking” is defined as more than four drinks in a day or 14 in a week for men and more than three drinks in a day or seven in a week for women.
Alcohol consumption at those levels can cause a variety of physical illnesses, including liver disease, brain damage, pancreatitis, heart disease and even cancer.
Many alcohol-related accidents lead to death; 40 percent of fatal vehicle crashes, suicides and falls are correlated to alcohol consumption.
There is social damage, as well. Workplace absenteeism and loss of productivity. School truancy. Domestic disputes and abuse. Legal problems. Crime.
Alcohol abuse also injures mental health, often contributing to or exacerbating conditions such as depression and anxiety.
There is hope, however.
First, many of the negative health risks associated with alcohol consumption can be mitigated or reversed through abstinence from alcohol.
Second, help is available. In nearly every town in America, peer-support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step groups hold meetings and provide mutual assistance — at no cost to the members.
In addition, professional addiction and mental health treatment is a growing field with many compassionate and dedicated clinicians who can help their patients enter “recovery” from alcoholism and other addictions.
Even more, with the passage of federal laws in recent years, mental health and substance abuse treatment is a required “Essential Health Benefit,” which means that nearly every health insurance plan will help cover the cost of treatment for alcohol abuse and other addictions. What used to be an expensive form of health care has become increasingly affordable for patients of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Finally, while we may shudder at the notion that 28 percent of the population drinks alcohol in a way that compromises good health, it bears mentioning that even more of Americans — 35 percent — actually don’t consume any alcohol at all.
So, regardless of whether you view this information as a glass “half-full” or “half-empty,” consider increasing your awareness of your alcohol consumption in order to maximize your optimal mental and physical health and well being.
Joseph Lemon Jr. is the founder of The Abbey Foundation in Bettendorf.