April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise your awareness about alcohol use, the possible causes for misuse and ways to prevent it. 

Whether you’re thinking about reducing your alcohol use or abstaining altogether, resources are available to help you change your relationship with alcohol and support your mental and emotional well-being. 

Reduce or abstain?

Programs and resources are available this month and year-around if you (or a loved one) are thinking about reducing alcohol use or abstaining from alcohol.

• Anyone wanting help with cutting back on drinking alcohol or quitting altogether can get free, confidential health education and one-on-one counseling through the Alcohol Management Program. Participation is private and is never shared with your supervisor or insurance company.

• Making a small change, like keeping track of your alcohol use (on an app like Saying When), setting limits or drinking water in between alcoholic drinks, can make a big difference.

• This article from Forbes Health looks at gray area drinking, who might be at risk and what you can do about it.

• The MHealthy Portal includes the self-guided Path to Wellness: Substance Abuse program focused on alcohol or other drug use. Available to benefits-eligible faculty, staff and their U-M health plan enrolled spouses/OQAs.

Coping with feelings that may contribute to alcohol misuse

Feeling stress, burned out or anxiety can all be reasons why someone turns to alcohol. Instead of using alcohol to cope, resources are available to help with how you’re feeling.

• Free and confidential counseling services, as well as support groups and workshops for mental and emotional wellness are always available to you through the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) and the Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience.

• All U-M health plans cover mental and behavioral health services like counseling, therapy and substance abuse treatment.

Find more information and resources focused on alcohol awareness on the MHealthy website.