Renz Center to host free screenings
When people think of alcohol abusers, teenagers sitting around drinking at an unsupervised party are often the images conjured up - a limited, and deadly misconception. College students, business professionals and senior citizens are among the more than 100,000 U.S. deaths caused by excessive alcohol consumption each year, according to Substance Abuse: The Nation's Number One Health Problem, February 2001 report. "Direct and indirect causes of death include drunken driving, cirrhosis of the liver, falls, cancer and stroke."
To recognize the serious problem of alcohol abuse, April is designated as Alcohol Awareness Month. AAM began as a way to inform the American public that alcoholism is a treatable disease, not a moral weakness, and that people who are addicted to alcohol can and do recover. To help promote this message, Renz Addiction Counseling Center is offering free, confidential alcohol assessment screenings from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 at Two American Way in Elgin, and 309 Walnut St. in St. Charles.
"Even as little as one alcoholic drink can significantly impair a person's judgment and coordination required to drive a car or operate machinery safely," said Renz Center's executive director Jerry Skogmo. "Long-term effects of consuming large quantities of alcohol can lead to permanent damage to vital organs; sexual dysfunctions; high blood pressure; and lowered resistance to disease."
According to Alcohol Health & Research, 1993, "nearly 14 million Americans meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders."
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; and medical, social, family or financial problems caused by drinking.
The center provides a variety of prevention, early intervention and treatment programs for alcohol, drug and gambling addictions and related disorders. Renz Center serves residents of central/northern Kane and western Cook Counties with offices in St. Charles, Streamwood and Elgin. The nonprofit, charitable organization is funded by the federal government, Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, United Way, in addition to Hanover Township and St. Charles 708 boards. For information, contact Deb Howe at (847) 742-3545, ext. 236 or visit www.renzcenter.com.