Reproduce on your letterhead and send to local newspaper. Make sure you include your contact information so the newspaper can verify you sent the letter

DATE:

To the Editor:

Often you only hear about alcohol use in terms of drunken driving, disorderly conduct arrests or accidental alcohol poisoning deaths. If you don't fit those categories, then no problem, right? Wrong.

Binge drinking is actually defined as "drinking five or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion, usually resulting in drunkenness." Binge drinking can also lead to heart attacks, hypertension, neurological problems, depression or anxiety, and complications with diabetes. Outside of your own health, alcohol abuse can lead to problems at work, at home, and with the law, all of which will impact your family.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, binge drinking among U.S. adults rose 17 percent between 1993 and 2001 to an average of 7.4 binge drinking episodes a year. Even more "sobering" is the fact that Illinois' rate is 22 percent higher than the national rate.

How do you know if you may have a problem with alcohol?
  •  Has your family or friends ever complained about your drinking?
  •  Have you been late to or absent from work because of hangovers?
  • Have you had trouble with the law after drinking?
  • Have you gotten into a fight after drinking?
  • Do you drink even when you don't feel well?
  • Has your doctor told you that you have health problems related to drinking?
  • Have you ever tried to quit drinking?
  • Have you ever had a blackout while drinking?
  • Do you sometimes have a drink in the morning to stop your hands from trembling or to ease a hangover?
  • Do you end up drinking more than you meant to drink?
  • Have you stopped doing things you used to do because you would rather drink?
  • Do you drink more than you used to drink?

If you said yes to any of these questions, drinking may be a problem for you.

Researchers at the CDC that conducted the binge drinking study also concluded that even brief advice from a doctor has been shown to reduce the number of binge drinking episodes by more than 40 percent among men and women.

Talk to your family doctor about alcohol use so he or she can help.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME
YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
ADDRESS, PHONE, AND E-MAIL.

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