By Steve Miller, CRPS

Each April, we’re invited into a conversation that has been happening for decades - sometimes quietly, sometimes urgently, but always essential.

Alcohol Awareness Month (AAM) was established in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) to bring visibility to alcohol misuse and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. At the time, the goal was simple: help people understand alcohol-related harm and make support more visible.

Nearly 40 years later, the conversation has evolved - but the need is no less important.

Alcohol is different from many other substances we talk about in prevention. It’s legal in all states by age 21. It’s normalized and woven into celebrations, stress relief, social connection and even identity. And because of these realities, for much of the community, it often lives just below the surface of concern.

We don’t always question it the same way we might other behaviors. We don’t always name the risks as clearly. And we don’t always recognize how early, and quietly problem patterns can begin to form.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use is linked to a wide range of health and safety concerns—chronic disease, injury, mental health challenges, and more. However, statistics alone don’t tell the full story.

The real story shows up in everyday life:

“Awareness is the beginning. What we do next is what changes the story.”

This is where Alcohol Awareness Month becomes more than awareness—it becomes an invitation to deeper conversation.

In prevention work, we often talk about primary prevention—stopping problems before they start. Alcohol sits right at the center of this effort.

For many young people, alcohol is the first substance they encounter. Research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) shows that early alcohol use is associated with increased risk of developing substance use disorders later in life, along with impacts on brain development and decision-making.

This is important, because when we focus on alcohol, we’re not just addressing one behavior—we’re shaping a trajectory.

Continue reading about Alcohol Awareness Month

NASADAD is excited to introduce a new resource on substance use prevention! It covers what substance use prevention is, how it’s done, the main strategies for preventing it, and some examples from different states. 

"Substance Use Prevention aims to prevent and/or delay alcohol and other drug use, misuse, and substance use disorders. Prevention activities identify and address issues early with youth and continue to assist people of all ages throughout their lives, promoting healthy individuals, families, and communities."

Mark Your Calendars

Abstract Submissions Currently Being Taken 

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Registration Now Open

The National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference brings together federal, state, and local professionals in substance use prevention, including prevention providers, school personnel, government representatives, law enforcement, policymakers, coalition leaders, counselors, health education specialists, and social workers.

The conference highlights the latest research in substance use prevention, providing a forum for sharing research, best practices, and promising evaluation results to integrate research into prevention practice.

Conference information and details about submitting an abstract are currently available on the NPN Conference website.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by grant no. 1H79SP084314 from SAMHSA. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.