Stephen F. Austin State University

A screening to help participants recognize the signs of alcohol use disorders will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. April 6 in the Human Services Building at Stephen F. Austin State University. The event is part of National Alcohol Screening Day and will provide information regarding support and treatment that can be obtained locally.

Studies show that nearly one third of adults engage in at-risk drinking patterns and may not even know it, according to Robby Patterson, director of the SFA Counseling Clinic.

"One in every 13 adults suffers from alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence," Patterson said. "Millions more drink in ways that can place themselves or others at risk. And for those who don't personally have a drinking problem, they may be directly affected by someone who does – approximately one-half of U.S. adults report a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking."

Attendees will have the opportunity to complete a brief, written questionnaire assessing their alcohol use and talk privately with a mental health counselor-in-training about their results and next steps. The program is free and confidential.

“Research indicates that brief interventions – such as talking about your drinking with a health professional – can help resolve mild to moderate alcohol problems, and those with more serious problems might be encouraged to seek treatment,” Patterson said.

According to Patterson, symptoms of an alcohol problem include drinking to calm nerves, forget worries or boost a sad mood; guilt about drinking; unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop drinking; or concealing drinking habits. Other signs include causing harm to oneself or someone else as a result of drinking; needing to drink increasingly greater amounts in order to achieve desired effect; feeling irritable, resentful or unreasonable when not drinking; or medical, social or financial problems caused by drinking.

Held in April as part of Alcohol Awareness Month, the event is a program of the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health. Last year, approximately 221,000 people attended a National Alcohol Screening Day event. Of those who completed a screening form, 45 percent scored in the hazardous or harmful drinking range.

For those unable to participate in the SFA event, an online screening will be posted at www.nationalalcoholscreeningday.org from March 27 through April 10.

For more information, call (936) 468-1041.