April marks Alcohol Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for individuals affected by alcohol abuse. While alcohol abuse is often viewed through a lens of physical health, it’s crucial to acknowledge its significant impact on mental well-being.
Kristen Shook, representing Mirror, Inc., and Brad Sloan, detox program manager at Valeo Behavioral Health, recently shared insights on the interconnection between alcohol abuse and mental health on Eye on NE Kansas.
Both Shook and Sloan underscored that alcohol use frequently begins as a coping mechanism, with individuals often turning to alcohol to manage underlying mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. However, far from alleviating these issues, alcohol abuse exacerbates them and can lead to the development of addiction disorders.
Recognizing the signs of alcohol abuse is paramount. Major disruptions in life, such as DUI arrests, absenteeism from work, or relationship problems, serve as red flags indicating the need for intervention and support.
