Siletz news /, April 01, 2000, Page 15, Image 15

“Cha-may weeya
Siletz
Common
Medicine Talk
Health
Clinic
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
The American Medical Association has
long identified alcoholism as a disease and
the accepted definition is: “Alcoholism is a
primary, chronic disease with genetic,
psychosocial, and environmental factors
influencing
its
development and
manifestations. The disease is often
progressive and fatal. It is characterized by
continuous or periodic impaired control over
drinking, preoccupation with the drug
alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse
consequences, and distortions in thinking,
most notably denial.”
Some people should not drink at all.
They are:
•
Women who are trying to conceive or
who are pregnant. Major birth defects,
including fetal alcohol syndrome, have
been attributed to heavy drinking by the
mother during pregnancy. Even with
moderate or light drinking, no one has
been able to determine a safe level of
alcohol intake during pregnancy.
•
Anyone who plans to drive or take part
in activities that require attention or skill.
Most people retain some alcohol in their
blood up to two or three hours after a
single drink.
•
Anyone who uses prescription and over-
the-counter medication. Alcohol may
alter the effectiveness or toxicity of
medicine. Also, some medicine may
increase blood alcohol levels or
increase the adverse effects of alcohol
in the brain.
Individuals of any age who cannot
restrict their drinking to moderate levels.
A special concern exists for recovering
alcoholics and people whose family
members have alcohol problems.
Studies have shown that people whose
parents have alcohol problems have a four
times greater chance of becoming alcoholic.
Other research says that the earlier people
start to drink, the more likely they are to
develop alcoholism.
Children and adolescents should be
strongly encouraged not to drink, and if they
plan to experiment with alcohol, to wait as
long as possible until their bodies are fully
developed. Many experts who have studied
Americans say that Native people are four
times more likely than the general population
to have the disease of alcoholism.
Alcohol use causes many other
diseases, which usually are named as the
cause of death when the true cause was
actually alcoholism. Liver disease, or
cirrhosis, is what most people think of when
they know someone has died of alcoholism.
Even just a few drinks per week increases
the risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol use along with cigarette
smoking and the use of snuff and chewing
tobacco causes cancer of the oral cavity,
esophagus, and larynx. Other public health
dangers associated with alcohol use are
hypertension,
obesity,
stroke,
cardiomyopathy, accidents, and suicides.
If you think you or someone you know
may have a drinking problem, help is
available. Counselors trained in doing
complete assessments and assisting in
treatment planning are available to the tribal
community. Please call 541-444-8286 or
1-800-600-5599.
April 7-9 is Alcohol Free Weekend.
This is a nationally observed weekend.
Let’s all observe it together!
Alcohol Free
Weekend
Siletz Tribal
Alcohol and Drug
Program
Staff, Clients,
Alumni, and
Friends
Gathering
Games, Food, and
Saturday
April 8
6 to 10 p.m.
Transitional Living
Center
Diabetes Day
Guarding Against Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
•
•
Get vaccinated.
Wash your hands before eating or preparing food, especially after using the bathroom
changing a diaper, or cleaning a diaper-changing table.
Don’t eat uncooked shellfish.
•
Get vaccinated for hepatitis B (there is no current vaccine for C)
Don’t share razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or other items that may come into
contact with a person’s blood.
Use only sterile instruments for manicures, piercing, and tattoos
Practice safe sex.
Hepatitis B and C
Diabetes Day is the last Thursday of
each month. It’s a chance for diabetic
patients to get needed exams on a day with
special time slots for them. Additional
services are offered on that day with Dr.
Prins, a foot specialist.
Medical, lab, optometry, and dental
services are available. Casey Bolan, clinic
receptionist, can help you set up several
appointments on one day. Join us for lunch
(12-1 p.m.) at the community center, too!
April 27
May 25
June 29
Call the clinic for your appointment
541-444-1030
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