Alcohol Awareness Month

NR_Alcohol Awareness Month_April 2024.docx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April #, 2024

NMHealth recognizes April a s Alcohol Awareness Month

SANTA FE—The New Mexico Department of Health ( NMHealth ) is recognizing April as Alcohol Awareness Month and reminds New Mexicans that there are resources available if you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol misuse. T here have been more than 2,000 alcohol-related deaths in New Mexico each year since 2020.

“ The impacts of alcohol misuse are felt in all of our communities ,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, Chief Medi cal Officer for NMHealth . “ The good news is that there are many proven strategies for reducing alcohol related health problems . In 2023, we established the Office of Alcohol Misuse Prevention to fo cu s on prevention effort s . ”

The Office of Alcohol Misuse Prevention (OAMP) works to reduce alcohol-related harms by coordinat ing prevention efforts across state agencies, promoti ng FDA-approved treatments for alcohol use disorder including Screening , Brief Intervention and Referral to Training (SBIRT) in medical settings, and evaluati ng existing programs and interventions. Additionally, the OAMP will assist communities and sovereignties (Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations) working to reduce excessive alcohol consumption by funding evidence-based prevention strategies.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol misuse please speak to your primary care provider and explore t hese resources:

Try this 5-minute screening tool to learn about how alcohol affects your health.

Download the free Connections App if you’re trying to cut down or quit drinking .

If you or someone you love thinks they may have a drinking problem, you can get support by calling this toll-free, confidential alcohol hotline at (313)-209-9574 or 988 for crisis support.

If you need help finding a provider, please call the DOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773)

In NM, the age-adjusted rate of alcohol-related deaths increased every year between 2017 and 2021—from 70 deaths per 100,000 persons to 102.8 deaths per 100,000 persons.

Statewide, i n 2022, 40% of all deaths in McKinley County were alcohol related. In Bernalillo County, 20.4% of all deaths were alcohol related, and 19% of all deaths in San Miguel County were alcohol related. In 2022, Hispanics accounted for 40% of the deaths, followed by Whites, and American Indian/Alaska Natives. Among men, alcohol-related deaths were highest among those between the ages of 55-64 (304 deaths). Among women, those between the ages of 35-44 had the highest number of deaths (270 deaths). Among men, the number of deaths increased with age. There was an almost 285% increase in the number of deaths when comparing those aged 15-24 with those aged 55-64 .

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