In 2007 

The National Federation of Families launched the Annual Green Ribbon Campaign, one of its most important awareness and education campaigns. The green ribbon is a key symbol in social marketing and awareness efforts. It is an uplifting campaign that aims to spread awareness through positive public health promotion and by initiating dialogue in local, national, and international communities. 

April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use and misuse. It offers communities a chance to gain more understanding of how individuals struggle with alcohol use and offers resources and support.

Underage drinking

Seeing alcohol ads can change how teens perceive drinking, making it seem more positive and normalizing it. Most teens see alcohol ads in many common places.

The more alcohol advertising teens see, the more likely they are to start drinking or to binge drink. Most teens see alcohol ads, but the chance of exposure isn't the same for all racial/ethnic groups.

Prevention

Early intervention can prevent alcohol-related problems in teens. If you have a teenager, be alert to signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol:

• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies and in personal appearance
• Red eyes, slurred speech, problems with coordination and memory lapses
• Difficulties or changes in relationships with friends, such as joining a new crowd
• Declining grades and problems in school
• Frequent mood changes and defensive behavior

You can help prevent teenage alcohol use:



• Set a good example with your own alcohol use.
• Talk openly with your child, spend quality time together and become actively involved in your child's life.
• Let your child know what behavior you expect — and what the consequences will be for not following the rules.

Alcohol Facts

• Alcohol is the most common substance used among people 12 and older in the United States.
• Excessive alcohol use—which refers to drinking in ways that can negatively impact health— is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
• About 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year.
• These deaths occur from both drinking alcohol over several years or drinking too much on one occasion.
• Everyone can take steps to protect their own and others' health and learn about proven ways to prevent excessive alcohol use.

This guide is written for individuals—and their family and friends—who are looking for options to address alcohol problems. It is intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them. 

For more information, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator®, an online tool that helps individuals find the right treatment for them—and near them. The Navigator offers a step-by-step process to finding a highly qualified professional treatment provider. Learn more at alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov.

April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month, to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.

Stress can affect your body, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Being able to recognize common symptoms of stress can help you manage them. Stress that's left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Stress can be a short-term response to something that happens once or only a few times or a long-term response to something that keeps happening. Our bodies can usually handle short-term stress without long-term effects. 

Mental symptoms of emotional stress include:

• Feeling more emotional than usual, especially feeling grumpy, teary, or angry
• Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, nervous, or on edge
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Feeling restless
• Trouble keeping track of or remembering things
• Trouble getting your work done, solving problems, making decisions, or concentrating 

Want to learn more about the symptoms of stress, click here.

Symptoms of stress that you might feel in your body include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth
• Shoulder, neck, or back pain; general body aches, pains, and tense muscles
• Chest pain, increased heart rate, heaviness in your chest
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling more tired than usual (fatigue)
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
• Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
• Getting sick more easily, such as getting colds and infections often

Stress is your body's response to a challenging or demanding situation. It can affect you physically, mentally, and behaviorally, especially when you have chronic stress. Chronic stress is when you are stressed for an extended time. Chronic stress can make it more likely for you to develop other mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression. It can also affect your heart health and digestive health. If you're stressed and having trouble coping, it may be time for you to see your doctor or a mental health professional.

Source: Marks, Hedy, and Lori M. King, PhD. "Stress Symptoms." WebMD, 19 June 2024, www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body.

April 21st - 25th, 2025 | Virtual Training

Family Peer Support Specialist Training

Youth Peer Support Specialist Training

This webinar with the National Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Recovery will explore the important role that families have in supporting their loved ones with mental illness and/or substance use disorders in addressing their tobacco use. Join us to learn facts about tobacco use to dispel common myths related to addressing tobacco use and gain resources.

Wednesday, April 16th, 2025

2:00 - 3:30PM ET

Register

If you have a comment, suggestion, or think you are, or know, a good guest please reach out via email to dads@kypartnership.org.

Substance Use Treatment Locator

Millions of Americans have a substance use disorder. Help is available. FindTreatment.gov.

Find Treatment in KY

Use this website to find facilities and providers who are actively taking new clients. https://findhelpnow.org/ky

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746).

Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

Find alcohol, drug, or mental health treatment facilities and programs around the country at findtreatment.samhsa.gov.