Renz Center supports Alcohol-free Weekend
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This year's theme, "Connecting the Dots: Opportunities for Recovery," is a national grassroots effort to support prevention, research, education, intervention, treatment and recovery from alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To help residents "connect the dots," the Renz Addiction Counseling Center is encouraging people to participate in a community-wide three day Alcohol-Free Weekend March 31-April 2.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence created the Alcohol-Free Weekend to help raise public awareness about the use of alcohol and how it may be affecting families, individuals, schools, businesses and the community.
"The Alcohol-Free Weekend is an opportunity to see if by omitting alcohol over 72 hours if you experience difficulty or discomfort," said Renz Center's Executive Director Jerry Skogmo. "If you struggle with alcohol cravings or the ability to have fun without it, perhaps now is a good time to 'connect the dots' and complete an alcohol assessment. Help is available, recovery is possible."
To help community residents determine if alcohol is a problem, Renz Center is offering free assessments at their Two American Way, Elgin, location. For an appointment, call (847) 742-3545.
According to the NCADD, "Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States. 17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence along with several million more who engage in risky, binge drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems. More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking, and more than 7 million children live in a household where at least one parent is dependent on or has abused alcohol." Warning signs of alcohol abuse include:
• Drinking to calm nerves, forget worries or boost a sad mood;
• Guilt about drinking;
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop drinking;
• Lying about or hiding drinking habits;
• Causing harm to oneself or someone else as a result of drinking;
• Needing to drink increasingly greater amounts in order to achieve desired effects;
• Feeling irritable, resentful or unreasonable when not drinking;
• Medical, social, family or financial problems caused by drinking.
The Renz Center provides a continuum of care dedicated to the prevention, intervention and treatment of addictive behaviors related to alcohol, drugs, and gambling. Services range from prevention programs for youth in the schools to outpatient treatment programs for adolescents and adults. Priority is given to pregnant women and women with dependent children. Offices are located in Elgin, St. Charles, and Streamwood.
Renz Addiction Counseling Center is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for its adult and adolescent outpatient treatment programs. This accreditation represents the highest level of recognition that can be given to an organization and shows Renz Center's commitment to quality services. Renz Center is a non-profit organization funded in part by the federal government, Fox Valley United Way, Illinois Department of Human Services, Hanover Township, Geneva, and St. Charles 708 mental health boards and other local community organizations. To find out more about Renz Center's programs, call (847) 742-3545 or visit www.renzcenter.org.