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Welcome to April!
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.
April Awareness Days
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April 2026 : Alcohol Awareness Month
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April 2026 : Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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April 2026 : National Stress Awareness Month
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April 1, 2026 : Passover Begins
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April 3, 2026 : Good Friday
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April 5, 2026 : Easter Sunday / Resurrection Sunday
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April 7, 2026 : Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action
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April 9, 2026 : National Alcohol Screening Day
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April 10, 2026 : National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day
Alcohol Awareness Month
April 2026
Alcohol Awareness Month was founded in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to educate the public about alcohol misuse and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery resources.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April 2026
Sexual Assault Awareness Month was nationally recognized in 2001 through coordinated advocacy efforts to increase public education, support survivors, and work toward preventing sexual violence.
National Stress Awareness Month
April 2026
National Stress Awareness Month was established in 1992 by the Health Resource Network to increase understanding of the effects of stress and encourage healthy ways to manage everyday pressures.
Passover Begins
April 1, 2026
Passover (Pesach) originates from the Biblical account of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt under Moses and has been observed in Jewish tradition for over 3,000 years as a remembrance of freedom and God’s faithfulness.
Good Friday
April 3, 2026
Good Friday has been observed by Christians since the early centuries of the Church to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and reflect on His sacrificial death for humanity.
Easter Sunday / Resurrection Sunday
April 5, 2026
Easter Sunday has been celebrated by Christians since the 2nd century to honor the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing hope, redemption, and new life.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action
April 7, 2026
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action was established in 2001 through national advocacy efforts led by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to promote prevention education, survivor support, and public awareness about sexual violence.
National Alcohol Screening Day
April 9, 2026
National Alcohol Screening Day was created in 1999 by the Screening for Mental Health to encourage individuals to evaluate their alcohol use and seek help if drinking is negatively affecting their health or relationships.
National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day
April 10, 2026
National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day was first observed in 2013 through collaboration among youth advocates and public health leaders to raise awareness about HIV prevention, testing, and education among young people.
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.
