When it comes to alcohol consumption, how much is too much? Could your drinking habits be making you depressed?
A report in the March issue of Archives of General Psychiatry found that while depression did not lead to alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse did increase the risk for major depression (ScienceDaily, 2009). The authors of this study suggested this could be caused by alcohol’s impact on the body or by the stressful life events brought on by heavy alcohol use.
While moderate social drinking has many health benefits, overdoing it could be affecting both your health and your mood (Hanson, 2007).
National Alcohol Screening Day, held annually on Thursday of the first full week of April, gives your community-based organization the perfect opportunity to offer a free, anonymous screening for alcohol use disorder as well as other common mental health conditions.
Members of your community will have access to a validated online alcohol screening, 24/7. It’s a quick 5-minute self-assessment tool designed to help individuals identify symptoms of alcohol misuse and access assistance before a problem becomes serious.
Sample Screening
Please Note: The CommunityResponse program is for organizations who wish to screen the general public. If you are an EAP or would like to provide this program for your employees, please visit the WorkplaceResponse page.