Last month Buffalo Bill Jordan Poyer and Congressman Tom Reed made forthright and very public admissions: every day they fight the demon that is alcohol addiction.

They aren’t alone.

Thousands of people share their battle. Alcohol is the most abused substance by youth and adults in the United States.

Alcohol can crush a person and shatter a family. As many as 5,000 youth under 21 years old lose their lives every year due to Alcohol-related incidents.

Alcohol use and abuse can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, and multiple forms of cancer.

Loss of control, dignity and feelings of self-worth, though, top of the list of alcohol’ s most destructive impacts.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Designated in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, it’s a time to use the power of communication to encourage people in turmoil to seek treatment.

It takes courage to admit you need help; the first step is reaching out.

Spectrum Health is here to help. Call us anytime at 716 710 5172.