Drinking too much alcohol can lead to health problems, including alcohol poisoning, hangovers, and an increased risk of heart disease. This April, during Alcohol Awareness Month, Goodnow’s Pharmacy encourages you to take this time to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of alcohol abuse. In 2008, in Maine alone, there were 47 fatal drunk driving accidents which made up 28% of all traffic fatalities during that year. To spread the word and prevent alcohol abuse, Goodnow’s Pharmacy is working to raise awareness during Alcohol Awareness Month to prevent alcohol abuse in our community. ²

Alcohol Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of alcohol abuse and encourage people to make healthy, safe choices.

Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse

If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may have a problem with alcohol:

• Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
• Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
• Does your drinking worry your family?
• Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
• Do you ever forget what you did while drinking?
• Do you get headaches or have a hangover after drinking?

 If you are drinking too much, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting. Keep track of how much you drink, avoid places where overdrinking occurs, and find new ways to deal with stress. If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking, offer to help, encourage them to contact their family doctor or to call a local help line for support.

Remember that drinking alcohol while taking prescription or over-the-counter medications can be dangerous, or even fatal.  Please consult your pharmacist or another health care professional before you drink alcohol to protect yourself and the ones you love!

Since the liver is responsible for metabolizing drugs other than alcohol, potentially dangerous alcohol-drug interactions can occur in both light and heavy drinkers. If you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, ask your health care provider for advice about alcohol intake. Recognize that even herbal medicines and supplements can have adverse interactions with alcohol.¹

If you have questions about whether or not it is safe to drink alcohol with your prescription or over the counter medications, please call a health care professional for advice.

Goodnow’s Pharmacy is available to answer your questions

Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm, and

Saturdays 8am – 3pm

and can be reached by phone at 207-594-5131.

^{1 -} http://oade.nd.edu/educate-yourself-drugs/commonly-abused-drugs/

^{2 -} http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/AprToolkit.aspx