April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness and increase understanding of how alcohol use impacts our health and communities. In the United States, alcohol contributes to more than 178,000 deaths each year, making it one of the leading preventable causes of death. In 2024 alone, nearly 28 million Americans ages 12 and older (1 in 10 people) met the criteria for an alcohol use disorder. Excessive alcohol use is also linked to seven different types of cancer and more than 200 different diseases and injury-related health conditions.

This month serves as an important opportunity to encourage individuals and communities to learn more about the effects of alcohol, reflect on personal and community-level patterns of use, and share accurate, evidence-based information on prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. It also offers a chance to gain more understanding of the impact of alcohol use disorder, while addressing misconceptions and stigma that can make it harder to seek help.

During Alcohol Awareness Month, Addiction Policy Forum will share science-backed resources—including video explainers, research summaries, online courses, and other educational materials—to increase understanding of alcohol’s effects. We also encourage you to explore information from leading organizations such as NIAAA and SAMHSA, whose work advances knowledge of alcohol use and supports ongoing efforts to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol use disorder.