Alcohol abuse is a common problem that can affect any person, family or community. Alcohol use has serious physical, mental and emotional consequences that can affect not just the user but also those surrounding him. Because substance abuse is such a common problem, there are many resources available to help prevent or treat alcohol abuse.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous, or A.A., is an organization established to help men and women collectively recover from alcoholism. Anyone is allowed to join A.A. and there are no fees required for membership. A.A. helps guide members through their unique 12-step program. This is done through regular meetings and the use of sponsors, individuals who guide alcoholics through the recovery process. Alcoholics Anonymous also has resources for family members and even allows friends and family to attend some meetings.
SAMHSA
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, is a branch of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA provides several services to the public. It conducts many programs and initiatives aimed at preventing substance abuse. These programs are available to families, youth, schools, workplaces and communities.
In addition, SAMHSA has resources for those already abusing alcohol. SAMHSA distributes about 1.8 million individual substance awareness publications per month, maintains a website and has an email distribution system with about 17,000 subscribers. It also has a contact center open 24 hours a day, available to those needing assistance, as well as a treatment facility locator on its website.
D.A.R.E.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., is a drug awareness program aimed toward children and young adults. The program involves a series of police-officer-led classroom lessons that teach children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug- and violence-free lives. It provides children with the skills needed to recognize and resist the pressures that cause them to experiment with alcohol or other drugs.
D.A.R.E. goes beyond traditional drug abuse programs. The program reaches millions of school-aged children around the world. It was founded in Los Angeles in 1983 and is in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. has received praise from presidents, governors and Congress members.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization that operates national public education programs. These programs aim to prevent or treat substance abuse. Treatment programs run by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America include step-by-step guides to an alcohol intervention, and resources to help patients and family members better understand what treatment for alcohol abuse entails.
