April is Alcohol Awareness Month

April marks Alcohol Awareness Month across the nation and helps underscore responsible choices and informed decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption. From the champagne toast at weddings to having that cocktail before dinner, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) urges moderation in drinking in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month.

“While drinking alcohol is a part of many of our celebrations and times of relaxation, drinking responsibly is crucial for the safety of everyone,” said MLCC Chair Kristin Beltzer. “During Alcohol Awareness Month, we join with our partners in the alcoholic beverage industry and public health community to highlight the importance of safe and responsible alcohol use.”

National Alcohol Awareness Month in America provides an opportunity to increase awareness of alcohol addiction and to bring understanding of alcohol’s causes, the effective treatments available, plus encouraging people that recovery is very possible. Alcohol Awareness Month was established in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to help communities reach out to the public and provide answers to end the stigma associated with alcohol abuse.

As with many things, there is a problem using alcohol in excess. When alcohol is misused, it can lead to serious health and public safety concerns. Each year more than 1,500 Michiganders die of alcohol-related causes. More specifically, alcohol-related deaths account for more than 25% of traffic-related fatalities, according to recent statistics from the Michigan State Police.

Alcohol awareness starts with these important reminders:

• Know that alcohol products are increasingly more potent, such as hard liquors, including tequila and gin. 

• Know what a standard “drink” is: 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content); 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content); or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits or liquor (40% alcohol content) -- gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, etc.

• Know consumption guidelines for healthy adults: one drink a day for women of all ages and men over age 65; up to two drinks a day for men under age 65.

• Don’t binge drink. For women, it’s those who drink more than four drinks in an outing and men who drink more than five.

• Know that heavy drinking can lead to chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, cancer, pancreatitis, and the risk of becoming an alcoholic.

Know your limit when using alcohol and be aware of indicators that may show whether you may be abusing it. Talk to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking, drinking and driving, and the health issues attributable to excessive drinking. Parents are reminded to set a good example for their kids about alcohol use.

Businesses licensed to sell or serve alcoholic beverages in Michigan must do their part to prevent sales of alcohol to minors and intoxicated customers.  Proper ID checking and knowing the signs of intoxication are critical for anyone that sells or serves alcohol to customers.

Licensees can take advantage of the 17 server training programs approved by the MLCC that bartenders, servers, waitstaff, clerks, and cashiers may complete to teach how to safely sell and serve alcohol.  Information on these programs is available on the MLCC’s Server Training Requirements webpage: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/lcc/faq/server-training-requirements.

For more information and resources available, please visit: MDHHS - Treatment (michigan.gov).

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The mission of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) is to make alcoholic beverages available for consumption while protecting the consumer and the general public through regulation of those involved in the sale and distribution of these alcohol beverage products.