During the month of April, the Schuylkill County Mental Health/Developmental Services and Drug & Alcohol Programs will be addressing the effects of alcohol.

Banners will be hanging in front of both the Schuylkill County Courthouse, 401 N. Second St., Pottsville and the Human Services building at 410 N. Centre St., Pottsville, for the month of April.

A standard drink contains 0.6 ounces or 1.2 ounces of pure alcohol. Pure alcohol is found in:

• 12 ounces of beer;

• 8 ounces of malt liquor;

• 5 ounces of wine, or;

• 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits or liquor.

The agency defines excessive drinking, heavy drinking and a binge.

• Binge: four or more drinks for women, and 5 or more for men on a single occasion;

• Heavy: eight or more drinks for women, and 15 or more for men per week;

• Moderate: one drink or less for woman, and two drinks or less for men;

• Drinking alcohol for people under the age of 21 or drinking by pregnant woman can have health risks.

For everyone, there are a variety of health risks from drinking alcohol including:

• Injuries from vehicle crashes, falls, drowning and burns, and;

• Violence, homicide, suicide, and sexual assault;

Long term effects can lead to chronic diseases:

• Heart disease, hypertension, stroke, certain cancers of the esophagus, throat, breast, liver and colon, and;

• Mental health issues including anxiety and depression, and/or alcohol dependency

To prevent these illnesses and life threatening diseases and injuries, abstaining from alcohol and eating a healthy diet are recommended.

For more information, see https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm.