APRIL 15, 2017
April Is Alcohol Awareness Month
Native Americans experience alcoholism on a wider level. Their rate of
alcoholism is much higher than the rest of the population — one in 10, or
almost 12 percent of Native American deaths are alcohol-related.
Traffic accidents and alcoholic liver disease are the most frequent alco-
hol-related deaths, along with homicide and suicide.
Native Americans were first introduced to alcohol by the European set-
tlers and traders in 1492. Alcohol was often traded for Native American
goods, and possibly used to relax the Native Americans in order to receive
a better trade.
The newness of the substance had a great influence on the Native Amer-
ican culture. But over the years, research has shown that alcohol’s effects
on this culture are also due to genetics. Because of alcoholism, Native
Americans have high rates of physical health problems such as diabetes,
heart disease, cancer, obesity, liver disease, hepatitis and stroke.
Native Americans are also at higher risk of being hurt in unintentional
accidents and having children die from sudden infant death syndrome due
to the result of alcohol. Chronic illnesses can lead to significant stress and
increase the risk of alcohol abuse.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a free 12-step recovery group for people strug-
gling with drinking. Meetings are available in our community. AA helps
members connect with a sober mentor and work through the 12 steps.
For more information on AA meetings in our community, call the Health
& Wellness Behavioral Health Department at 503-879-2026.
Tips on trying to quit drinking
3 Keep track. Keep track of how much you drink. Find a way that works
for you: Carry a drinking tracker card in your wallet, make check marks on
a kitchen calendar, or enter notes in a mobile phone notepad or personal
digital assistant. Making note of each drink before you drink it may help
you slow down when needed.
3 Count and measure. Know the standard drink sizes so you can count
your drinks accurately. Measure drinks at home. Away from home, it can
be hard to keep track, especially with mixed drinks, and at times you may
be getting more alcohol than you think. With wine, you may need to ask
the host or server not to "top off" a partially filled glass.
3 Set goals. Decide how many days a week you want to drink and how
many drinks you’ll have on those days. It's a good idea to have some days
when you don't drink. People who always stay within the low-risk limits
when they drink have the lowest rates of alcohol-related problems.
3 Pace and space. When you do drink, pace yourself. Sip slowly. Have no
more than one standard drink with alcohol per hour. Have “drink spacers”
— make every other drink a non-alcoholic one, such as water, soda or juice.
3 Include food. Don't drink on an empty stomach. Eat some food so the
alcohol will be absorbed into your system more slowly.
3 Find alternatives. If drinking has occupied a lot of your time, then fill
free time by developing new, healthy activities, hobbies and relationships,
or renewing ones you’ve missed. If you have counted on alcohol to be more
comfortable in social situations, manage moods or cope with problems, then
seek other, healthy ways to deal with those areas of your life.
3 Avoid “triggers.” What triggers your urge to drink? If certain people
or places make you drink even when you don’t want to, try to avoid them.
If certain activities, times of day or feelings trigger the urge, plan some-
thing else to do instead of drinking. If drinking at home is a problem, keep
little or no alcohol there.
3 Plan to handle urges. When you cannot avoid a trigger and an urge
hits, consider these options: Remind yourself of your reasons for changing
(it can help to carry them in writing or store them in an electronic message
you can access easily). Or talk things through with someone you trust. Or
get involved with a healthy, distracting activity, such as physical exercise
or a hobby that doesn’t involve drinking. Or, instead of fighting the feeling,
accept it and ride it out without giving in, knowing that it will soon crest
like a wave and pass.
3 Know your “no.” You're likely to be offered a drink at times when
you don’t want one. Have a polite, convincing “no, thanks” ready. The
faster you can say no to these offers, the less likely you are to give in. If
you hesitate, it allows you time to think of excuses to go along.
S moke S ignals
23
OHSU sets May 8
diabetes presentation
Oregon Health & Science University Physician Assistant Program will
present “Diabetes Awareness - Understanding and Preventing Diabetes”
from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, May 8, in the Tribal Community Center, 9615
Grand Ronde Road.
Come explore the common causes, treatments and preventions of
diabetes.
Presenters will discuss how to recognize your risk for diabetes, help
your family and friends living with diabetes, and find out how you can
prevent yourself from developing adult-onset diabetes.
Food and beverages will be provided. There will be an approximately
30-minute presentation with 10 minutes of question and answer.
For questions about this event, contact Tashina Blair, Charge Nurse/
Diabetes Program coordinator, at the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness
Center, 503-879-1392.
Refill requests online
Web refill requests for prescriptions through the Tribal Pharmacy are
now available! Go to www.GrandRonde.org/departments/health-and-well-
ness/pharmacy and click on the link provided.
You can bookmark this page for future use.
Skookum denials
If you have received a denial from the Skookum Health Assistance
Program for payment of health services and you feel that your ser-
vices should not have been denied, please contact one of the Save
Our Skookum team members:
• Barbara Steere – 503-879-2487
• Melody Baker – 503-879-2011
• Tresa Mercier – 504-879-2008
• Tauni McCammon – 503-879-1406
• Erica Mercier – 503-879-2080
It is important that you call as soon as you receive a denial. The
older bills are, the better chance of them being turned in to collec-
tions. You are always welcome to call with questions.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Optometry hours
• 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday
• 9:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday
Please call to schedule your appointment
at 503-879-2079 or 800-775-0095.
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