The global coronavirus pandemic has forced us to learn new ways to do many things. Workers in some job sectors have learned to work from home, while others have had to find entirely new sources of income. Parents learned to be teachers for their children, while teachers themselves learned to do their jobs in less than ideal remote environments. We’ve figured out how to use technology to celebrate birthday parties, host award shows, and even host presidential inaugurations.
One thing we can do to benefit ourselves as a nation is to talk to friends, family and neighbors about preventing underage and adult drinking.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 54.3 percent (or 18.3 million) of people ages 18 to 25 and 55 percent (or 119.1 million) of people age 26 and older drank alcohol in the past month. Alcohol abuse remains under the radar in our society, especially when it comes to adult alcohol use. After all, it’s a legal substance for people over 21, and so many American adults drink socially and responsibly. Others, however, develop alcohol use disorders and it can be difficult to determine how and if to intervene.
SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) has resources to facilitate these conversations.
Many of our key initiatives—such as Communities are speaking out to prevent underage drinking and “Talk. They Hear You.” – focus on keeping alcohol out of the hands of children and young adults. This is an important age group because patterns of alcohol use that begin early can last a lifetime. Early onset of alcohol consumption is is associated with the development of alcohol use disorder later in life.
But we know that the problem of alcohol abuse goes far beyond this age group. In the era of COVID-19, we have seen increases in alcohol use that appear to be linked to stress related to the pandemic. Among adults aged 18 and over, 13.3 percent (1 in 10) reported that initiation or increased use of substances to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19. Of course, the pandemic is only one of many factors likely contributing to these increases.
According to December 2020 findings from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)—a national public health surveillance system administered by SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality—96 percent of reported alcohol-related emergency department (ED) visits between January and August that were solely due to alcohol abuse involved people over the age of 21. Interestingly, alcohol was the most common substance involved in substance-related ED visits (45.1 percent).
The realities that the data show are alarming and call for action. SAMHSA and its partners and the thousands of prevention professionals across the country are committed to making a difference among alcohol-abusing populations.
We know that while prevention often starts with a conversation, it needs to go even further. It includes the choices we make for ourselves, to support those closest to us, and our entire communities. It involves examining the science and evidence for developing and implementing prevention activities in which everyone can play a role. And while the energy may be a little different if such activities take place virtually, there is much to be gained by expanding the universe of ways in which we ‘live’ prevention.
We learned how to keep substance abuse prevention alive and well—including underage drinking prevention—despite social distancing guidelines. Preventing problem drinking in all adults requires the same level of innovation and persistence.
National Prevention Week (NPW)—which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year—gives us an opportunity to promote collaborative strategies that work in communities. And when I reflect on NPW activities over the past 10 years, I am reminded that prevention is for everyone.
With NPW’s current focus on the prevention of alcohol abuse and underage drinking, now is the right time to step up all the ways we can promote prevention across all age groups.
If you or someone you know is experiencing alcohol abuse, regardless of age, I encourage you to connect with the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Service, available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This service is confidential and free to use.
We know the risk factors. We know the symptoms. And we know the serious and potentially life-altering consequences of alcohol abuse. We should openly face the realities of problem drinking among adults, speaking up when someone we know may be abusing alcohol, encouraging honest discussions about the issue, and implementing adult-focused prevention strategies in our communities.
