Rethink drinking habits during alcohol awareness month Published April 22, 2015 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- April is alcohol awareness month and members are encouraged to evaluate their drinking habits, seek help if needed. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the standard members should follow for women is three drinks per day and 7 per week, for men it's 4 drinks per day and 14 per week. "There are so many people out there who don't realize how alcohol is affecting them, their family, or their workplace," said Senior Master Sgt. Estela Clunie, 482nd Fighter Wing drug demand reduction program manager. "A good way to evaluate your dependency is to stop drinking completely for a week and see how you feel." According to their website, the NIAA states that many adults drink moderately and responsibly without complications, and there are indications from research that some can derive modest health benefits. However they also state that alcohol-related problems - which result from drinking too much, too fast, or too often - are among the most significant public health issues in the United States and internationally. They also say an estimated 16.6 million Americans have alcohol use disorder - a medical term describing a range of mild, moderate, and severe alcohol problems. The NIAA website has resources available to assess your dependency and provides resources to help if a problem is present. For more information contact Clunie at 786-415-6919 or go to www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov.