Welcome to July!
Our website recognizes monthly awareness dates.
We only provide information that is pertinent to addiction, recovery and to the agency's vision and mission statements.
July Awareness Days
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July 1 - 31, 2026 : Disability Pride Month
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July 1 - 31, 2026 : Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
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July 4, 2026 : Independence Day (Fourth of July)
Disability Pride Month
July 1 - 31, 2026
Disability Pride Month recognizes the contributions, experiences, and achievements of individuals living with disabilities. It encourages greater awareness, inclusion, and respect while celebrating the value and diversity that people with disabilities bring to our communities.
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July 1 - 31, 2026
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the importance of mental health and wellness within underserved and diverse communities. It encourages education, access to resources, and open conversations that help reduce stigma and support emotional well-being.
Independence Day (Fourth of July)
July 4, 2026
The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and is recognized as a federal holiday in the United States. In observance of the holiday, CAAA will be closed on July 4, 2026, and regular operations will resume on the next scheduled business day.
Nicotine Prevention
All tobacco and nicotine products- whether smoked, chewed, or vaped pose serious health risks. While some products may carry relatively lower risks than others, none are safe, and all can contribute to addiction, disease, and long-term health complications. Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant found in tobacco products and most e-cigarettes. It acts on the brain’s reward system, reinforcing repeated use and making cessation difficult.
1. Product-Specific Health Risks
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A. Cigars and Cigarillos
- Contain as much nicotine as cigarettes, sometimes more.
- Produce thicker, more toxic smoke due to fermentation.
- Linked to oral, esophageal, laryngeal, and lung cancers.
- Increase risk of heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Secondhand smoke from cigars is highly toxic.
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B. Chewing Tobacco (Smokeless)
- Includes chew, snuff, and nicotine pouches.
- Causes oral cancers, gum disease, and tooth loss.
- Increase risk of pancreatic cancer and nicotine addiction.
- Delivery high doses of nicotine, often more than cigarettes.
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C. E-Cigarettes, E-Liquid, and Vaping
- Most contain nicotine, even when labeled ·nicotine-free. ·- Aerosol contains:
- Heavy metals (nickel, tin, lead)
- Volatile organic compounds
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Diacetyl, linked to ·popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans)- Associated with:
- Lung injury (EVALI)
- Nicotine poisoning, especially in children - Battery explosions and burns
- May be less harmful than cigarettes if used exclusively by adults trying to quit smoking but not safe.
2. Impact on Recovery and Mental
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Health - Nicotine addiction can:
- Undermine recovery from other substance use disorders.
- Increase anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Impair cognitive function and emotional regulation.
- Dual use (e.g., vaping and smoking) increases exposure to toxins and worsens respiratory outcomes.
- Withdrawal symptoms irritability, cravings, insomnia can interfere with therapy and recovery goals.
3. Long-Term Health Consequences
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- Cancer: Oral, lung, throat, pancreatic, and esophageal.
- Cardiovascular disease: Heart attack, stroke, hypertension.
- Respiratory illness: COPD, asthma exacerbation, chronic bronchitis.
- Reproductive harm: Low birth weight, preterm birth, fetal brain damage. - Cognitive decline: Especially with early or prolonged use.
NOTICE
Communication media utilized by Community Action Against Addiction is for information exchange between members of the community, whether client or staff.
These accounts are staffed and monitored by non-service staff.
It is expected that all participants will maintain a level of courtesy owed to all parties.
