Supporting friends, family, and coworkers who are trying to get or stay sober is something that should be practiced every day. However, it deserves special attention during Alcohol Awareness Month. In fact, promoting and living a healthier lifestyle overall can be the right choice for all involved. While Alcohol Awareness Month occurs every April, the Crossroads team can help you with ways to support sobriety in the workplace regularly. If you or a coworker need help to get sober, our alcohol addiction treatment center can also help get you back on the path to sobriety.
What Is Alcohol Awareness Month?
The purpose of Alcohol Awareness Month is to increase awareness and understanding of the causes and treatment of alcoholism. The National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) started the holiday, and people around the country celebrate it every April. NCADD serves to support those battling a substance use disorder and their families through programming and various channels of support. The organization’s national network of affiliates is made up of members of the medical, scientific, political, and social communities.
One of the pillars of Alcohol Awareness Month is to select a point in time in the month, like a long weekend, to be alcohol-free. During this designated timeframe, you would stop drinking alcohol for the duration and see how differently you feel compared to a weekend that included alcohol. Reinforcing this initiative in the workplace can help raise greater community awareness and promote a healthier lifestyle.
Sobriety in The Workplace
Alcohol really has no place in the workplace. However, if you find you have an employee or a coworker that is struggling, there are ways you can help them get the help they need. In fact, addiction among employees is something that human resources professionals have to deal with on a regular basis.
There are laws in place to help protect employees, so you shouldn’t worry that a coworker is at risk of losing their job. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) protects employees from being fired for undergoing addiction treatment. Furthermore, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows individuals to take time off work for alcohol addiction treatment. In fact, some people may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for treatment.
Organizing an intervention can help someone who is battling addiction but is in denial that they need help. Interventions are highly effective in getting the addicted person to enter an addiction treatment program. Crossroads can guide you in how to get this process with family and your human resources department.
Crossroads Can Help People Get Sober
Alcohol can be used as a way to relax and unwind. However, at social events with coworkers where alcohol is involved, you might see another side of someone you work with that you didn’t realize existed. Not everyone can manage their alcohol consumption, and for many social drinking can get out of control quickly. Promoting a sober workplace is the safer alternative for both employers and employees. If your workplace doesn’t already do this, then Alcohol Awareness Month can be the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about alcoholism. It also allows you to support staff and coworkers who may be battling addiction as well.
Crossroads offers a variety of addiction treatment programs:
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- The Back Cove women’s residential program
- CAMP – children and mothers program
- Gender-responsive treatment
- Individual and group therapies
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring eating disorders and substance use disorders
Reach out to the Crossroads team today at 877.978.1667 to learn more about Alcohol Awareness Month. We’ll also be able to answer any questions you have about our substance use treatment programs.
