Alcohol Awareness Month calls attention to dangers of drinking
You don’t need me to tell you the damage alcohol abuse has on individuals, families, and communities. The statistics speak for themselves. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, an estimated 178,000 deaths each year in the U.S. are alcohol-related. In addition, alcohol misuse contributes to approximately 200 different disease and injury-related conditions.
April marks Alcohol Awareness Month, an annual observance that serves as an important reminder or the ongoing fight against alcohol addiction and its devastating effects. Established in 1987, this month-long campaign shines a light on the impact of alcohol use disorder and emphasizes the importance of prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Jignesh Y. Sheth, M.D., FACP, MPH, is senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. He is dually board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine. To make an appointment at The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Here in Northeast Pennsylvania, we are fortunate to have first-rate resources available for individuals seeking help. The Wright Center for Community Health is among the region’s leading providers of addiction and recovery services. As a Pennsylvania-designated Opioid use Disorder Center of Excellence, we are dedicated to assisting individuals who struggle with substance use disorders, including alcohol addiction.
At The Wright Center, we recognize that addiction is a lifelong disease that requires long-term commitment and comprehensive care. Unlike traditional inpatient rehabilitation facilities, we utilize an outpatient services model, allowing patients to receive high-quality treatment while maintaining their daily responsibilities.
Our whole patient approach is rooted in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), a method that combines medical and social support. MAT works by using medication to block brain receptors targeted by substances like opioids, reducing craving and withdrawal symptoms. This evidence-based approach increases the likelihood of sustained recovery.
Each patient at The Wright Center is paired with a dedicated team of specialists, including recovery and behavioral health professionals, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, certified recovery specialists, and medical providers. Together, we offer personalized guidance, addressing not only substance use disorders but also co-occurring mental health conditions, housing challenges, insurance barriers, and family or community relationships.
In addition to our core services, we are proud to be a longtime community partner in the Healthy MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) program. For the past seven years, this program has supported pregnant women and new mothers who are experiencing addiction, providing them with critical resources such as MAT, addiction counseling, OB-GYN care, legal assistance, and parenting education.
Through Healthy MOMS, we have witnessed firsthand the positive outcomes that early intervention and comprehensive support can bring. Women who engage in recovery services well before their delivery dates are less likely to give birth to infants experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome, a painful withdrawal condition. Beyond their physical health, many participants report an increased sense of optimism, greater self-confidence, and a renewed desire to further education. It’s just a wonderful program.
The road to recovery is challenging, but it is one that no individual should have to walk alone. The Wright Center remains committed to expanding and improving our addiction treatment and recovery services, ensuring that those in need have access to the care and support they deserve.
This Alcohol Awareness Month, let us take the opportunity to educate, advocate, and support those impacted by alcohol use disorder. Recovery is possible, and together, we can make a difference.
