How Much Do People Really Drink?

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CHANGING LIVES. FOR GOOD.

This recent call from a distraught young woman reveals that, when people reach out to IMPACT, they trust us to listen and work with them to find solutions that will help immediately and over the long run.

IMPACT Counselor: Thank you for calling IMPACT. How may I help you?

Client: I'm just looking for a little advice, I guess. I haven't had more than a beer or two since Sunday. Otherwise I drink all day. Maybe a 30-pack and a fifth each day. It's a lot. I can't control myself. I just keep going down this spiral and making stupid decisions. Not getting better and drinking to ignore it. Raped and molested too many times. I feel like I need some kind of attention from somebody and I put myself in sleazy positions. I'm working so hard...

I think you've identified that a lot has to do with what's happened to you in the past. Until you're able to deal with that it's going to be hard for you to make better choices for yourself. There's more going on than just giving you a couple coping skills that are going to make this ok for you right now.

I don't have the time or money for anything else.

You're literally crying out for help. If you don't make the time for this, where is this leading you? There are options, as far as meeting with a counselor. Depending on whether or not you have insurance. You could potentially get funding through Milwaukee County - if you need counseling. And it's not going to just address the alcohol piece; it's also going to get underneath that as well.

When I was little - like when I was ten - I was in and out of counseling. I've been on the streets since I was 15. I know I might not have understood things as much as I do now.

You have a history of traumatic events based on sexual offense. These places specialize in individuals who have had trauma that has happened to them based on a domestic violence relationship or an encounter.

OK... Aaaah! I hate this. I just feel so stupid!

You're going through a tough time right now. And you're just trying to find some resources that are going to help you get through it. There's nothing stupid about that.

IMPACT 2-1-1 is available 24/7 and has multiple access points to get connected to family health and social services throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

Simply dial 2-1-1

or toll-free

1-866-211-3380

Text your ZIP code

to 898-211 available 9am to 9pm

Click to chat or search the online resource directory at impactinc.org

August 4, 2016

How Much Do People

Really Drink?

IMPACT's website includes an anonymous alcohol screening for people to determine if their drinking behavior is putting them at risk. Between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 a total of 1,736 people were screened using the online tool which assesses daily and weekly alcohol consumption.

The alcohol screening uses research-based guidelines created by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, of the National Institutes of Health for healthy adults under 65 years of age.

Of those who took the screen, approximately 32 percent of men and 34 percent of women received a Low Risk result based on their reported alcohol use. Although few people in the low-risk group will likely experience alcohol-related problems, they can still have trouble if they drink too quickly, have certain medical conditions, or are older. The majority of U.S. adults never exceed the low-risk drinking limits.

Sixty-eight percent of men and 66% of women reported drinking more than the single-day limits, putting them at an Increased Risk of experiencing alcohol-related problems. Individual risk depends on how much, how quickly, and how often they drink.

Approximately 9 percent of men and 15 percent of women received a High Risk result during this 12-month period due to drinking more than both the single-day limits and the weekly limits. According to the National Institutes of Health, about half of the people in this drinking pattern group already have alcohol dependence and are at a heightened risk of developing health problems.

Results captured from online alcohol screening 7/1/15 - 6/30/16

ARE YOU AT RISK? TAKE THE ONLINE SCREENING

AS SEEN ON FOX6:

Concern grows after 9 probable heroin/opioid related deaths in 6 days

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office has responded to nine suspected heroin or opioid-related deaths since Wednesday, July 27th. In 2016, there have been 58 confirmed heroin deaths and 138 drug overdose deaths overall.

IMPACT President & CEO, John Hyatt, was interviewed for the news story and reminded viewers, "There are services available and people do recover. So don`t think either of those things isn't true."

Hyatt encouraged people to dial 2-1-1 if they are concerned about themselves or a loved on. After a brief screening with questions about the individual's situation, IMPACT will then refer the caller to matching resources, regardless of whether they have insurance. IMPACT 2-1-1 is available 24/7.

Watch the news story here.

Meet & Greet with Emily Kenney

Emily Kenney is the new program coordinator for Coordinated Entry for Homeless Services. Partners, funders and community stakeholders will be invited to learn more about her role in this successful system and see the IMPACT 2-1-1 Operations Center in action on August 30th. Watch for your invitation. For more information about Coordinated Entry, click here.

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Milwaukee, WI 53214