happy AprilApril showers bring may flowers
April 2025
Happy April to all of you from all of us at Inspire Behavioral Health! We hope you and yours have a wonderful month filled with good health and happiness. We hope you will celebrate yourself and others this month.
This month we observe Passover and Easter! Along with some rain, April ushers in some other notable days including April Fools’ Day, Arbor Day and Earth Day. April is also home to World Autism Awareness Day and World Health Day. It is also Alcohol Awareness Month.
We hope, as always, that this will the month you learn, grow and develop more so that you will live a deeper, richer, more meaningful and purposeful life in 2025.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an opportunity to update your knowledge about alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the adverse impact of alcohol misuse on health and society. Alcohol-related problems continue to take a heavy toll on individuals, families, and communities. Researchers estimate that each year there are more than 178,000 alcohol-related deaths, making alcohol a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In addition, more than 200 disease and injury-related conditions are associated with alcohol misuse.
The National Institute on alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIAAA, offers a wealth of research-based resources related to alcohol misuse. These resources are free, cover many topics, and are available in multiple languages. Examples include the following:
- Facts About Teen Drinking: Designed for teens, this website contains in-depth information about how alcohol affects health, how to identify signs of an alcohol problem, and how to get help.
- NIAAA for Middle School: This web resource contains interactive activities to help parents, caregivers, and teachers introduce and reinforce key messages about peer pressure, resistance skills, and other important topics related to underage drinking.
- Alcohol and Your Brain: A Virtual Reality Experience: This educational experience shares age-appropriate messages through engaging visuals, informative billboards, and narration.
In addition, the Rethinking Drinking website features interactive calculators as well as tips and strategies to cut down or quit drinking. The Alcohol Treatment Navigator walks individuals through the process of finding treatment options and recovery resources. Whether you are seeking more information about what alcohol use disorder is, are thinking about cutting back on alcohol, are a parent looking for information about how to talk to your child about alcohol, or a health care professional looking for how to help patients with alcohol-related problems, NIAAA can help.
During Alcohol Awareness Month, you can also find information across the NIAAA website to learn more about NIAAA-supported research and initiatives. These efforts aim to generate and disseminate fundamental knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol on health and well-being. Such research is critical in helping to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems. Please visit their website and then call us at Inspire for more help.
What counts as a drink?
In the United States, a “standard drink” (also known as an alcoholic drink equivalent) is defined as any beverage containing 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol.
What is Alcohol Misuse?
Alcohol misuse, which includes binge drinking and heavy drinking, increases your risk of harmful consequences, including AUD. The more drinks on any day and the more alcohol misuse over time, the greater the risk. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%—or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter—or more. This typically happens if a woman has four or more drinks, or a man has five or more drinks, within about two hours.
NIAAA defines heavy drinking as follows:
- For women—four or more drinks on any day or eight or more per week
- For men—five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week
Having even a couple of symptoms—which you might not see as trouble signs—can signal a drinking problem. It helps to know the signs so you can make a change early. Providers diagnose AUD when a person has two or more of the symptoms listed below. AUD can be mild (the presence of two to three symptoms), moderate (the presence of four to five symptoms), or severe (the presence of six or more symptoms). See if you recognize any of these symptoms—or others, such as feeling low, dysphoria, or malaise—in yourself. And don’t worry—even if you have a symptom, you can take steps on your own or with help from the professionals at Inspire Behavioral Health to reduce your risk of AUD and other alcohol-related consequences.
Have you had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended?
- More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?
- Spent a lot of time drinking, being sick from drinking, or getting over other aftereffects?
- Wanted a drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else?
- Found that drinking—or being sick from drinking—often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
- Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
- Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?
- More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or engaging in unsafe sexual behavior)?
- Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had an alcohol-related memory blackout?
- Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
- Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, dysphoria (feeling uneasy or unhappy), malaise (general sense of being unwell), feeling low, or a seizure? Or sensed things that were not there?
If you don’t have any symptoms, then staying within the limits provided in the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans could reduce your chances of having problems in the future. If you do have any symptoms, then alcohol may already be a cause for concern. The more symptoms you have, the more urgent the need for change. A health care professional can look at the number, pattern, and severity of symptoms to see whether AUD is present and help you decide the best course of action. If this is you, please call Inspire and let us help you.
Thinking about a change? The next section may help.
Note: The questions listed above are based on symptoms of AUD in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision. The DSM is the most commonly used system in the United States for diagnosing mental health disorders.
AUTISM AWARENESS DAY 2025
April 2 is Autism Awareness Day. Did you know that CDC statistics revealed that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is 4.3 times more prevalent in boys than it is in girls? This is because girls “often go undiagnosed because they don’t fit autism stereotypes and they mask symptoms better than boys do,” according to the Child Mind Institute.
There is no better way to celebrate this day than by becoming aware of the characteristics of people with this condition and how all of us can do better to increase our own understanding and promote kindness.
World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2. The day recognizes and spreads awareness for the rights of people with autism. The condition typically starts during childhood and continues into adulthood.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder characterized by behavioral and communicational affections that impact a person’s ability to navigate social interactions and also causes repetitive and restricted behavior.
The first historical appearance of the word “Autism” was made in 1911 by the psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, who used the term to describe a specific cluster of symptoms that were considered simple symptoms of schizophrenia as an extreme social withdrawal.
In that order, it was in 1943, when pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Leo Kanner characterized Autism as a social and emotional disorder in his article “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact”, and in 1944 Hans Asperger published his “Autism Psychopathology Article” where he described autism as a disorder of normal intelligence children who have difficulties with social and communication skills. These articles were an important contribution to the studies that helped to classified Autism as a disorder separate from schizophrenia in 1980.
Due to the continuous investigation and research on autism, World Autism Awareness Day was set to April 2 of each year by the “United Nations General Assembly” on “Resolution 62/139” and adopted on December 18, 2007, to encourage member states to take action in raising awareness about people with autism spectrum disorder and support the research finding new ways to improve wellness and inclusion.
Finally, the notion of autism as a spectrum was developed in 2013 by the “American Psychiatric Association” in the Fifth Edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” by combining all subcategories of autism and related conditions into one unified category, including varied characteristics, severity, and presentation of the symptoms.
earth day
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally through earthday.org (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
In 1969 at a UNESCO conference in San Francisco, peace activist, John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be observed on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature’s equipoise was later sanctioned in a proclamation written by McConnell and signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the idea to hold a nationwide environmental teach-in on April 22, 1970, and hired a young activist, Denis Hayes, to be the national coordinator.
The name “Earth Day” was coined by advertising writer Julian Koenig. Hayes and his staff grew the event beyond the original idea for a teach-in to include the entire United States. Key non-environmentally focused partners played major roles. Under the leadership of labor leader Walter Reuther, for example, the United Auto Workers (UAW) was the most instrumental outside financial and operational supporter of the first Earth Day. According to Hayes: “Without the UAW, the first Earth Day would have likely flopped!” Nelson was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom award in recognition of his work.
The first Earth Day was focused on the United States. In 1990, Denis Hayes, the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international and organized events in 141 nations. On Earth Day 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement was signed by the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and 120 other countries. This signing satisfied a key requirement for the entry into force of the historic draft climate protection treaty adopted by consensus of the 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Numerous communities engaged in “Earth Day Week actions,” an entire week of activities focused on the environmental issues that the world faces.
On Earth Day 2020, over 100 million people around the world observed the 50th anniversary in what is being referred to as the largest online mass mobilization in history.
saint Patrick's day
St. Patrick’s Day is a religious and cultural holiday held on March 17th, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. 385 – c. 461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and, by extension, celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Christians who belong to liturgical denominations also attend church services. Saint Patrick’s Day, while not a legal holiday in the United States, is nonetheless widely recognized and observed throughout the country as a celebration of Irish and Irish-American culture. Celebrations include prominent displays of the color green, religious observances, and numerous parades. The holiday has been celebrated in what is now the U.S. since 1600, with the first parade occurring in 1601.
Mental Health and You in April
Perhaps for you, April is marked by celebrating Passover or Easter. You may find yourself engaging in self-reflection and deep thought. You may be invested in one or more of the other events mentioned above, but for all of us in this region, we will probably have more sunlight, feel warmer and witness a burst of growth all around us. The new blossoms and new growth are a rich metaphor for us to explore our own personal growth, especially from a mental health perspective. We may ask, how will this new season of growth outside of us be reflected for us on the inside, in our interior life? Whether we endeavor to have a deeply spiritual renewal or an existential recognition of what is happening outside, the truth is that a major change that is easily visible in the colorful environment around us is underway. May it be a sign of hope for all of us.
Hope may never have been more important than it is now because so many of us are feeling uncertain, depressed, anxious, angry and fearful about the future. So many of us are experiencing real oppression and hate, fearing we will become invisible as many civil rights erode, fearing the loss of a job or the threat of being terminated, and so much more.
You may find that as an American you do not feel equal, counted, respected, protected and safe these days. If this is you, we urge you to build a stronger support network of like-minded people. We also urge you to contact Inspire Behavioral Health to schedule an appointment to see one of our providers to talk about your thoughts and feelings in a safe and non-judgmental place. We encourage you to take concrete actions for self-care which may include limiting how much news you watch, listen to or read each day. You may try to take more breaks or place a higher emphasis on improving your sleep, feeling rested and eating healthier foods. You might want to limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol, or stop consuming both completely. You might consider joining a group of some kind, or a volunteer or advocacy effort. And, remember that while reflecting and journaling alone can be helpful and therapeutic, isolating is harmful and almost always exacerbates most of our anxieties, worries and concerns. Keep in mind that any physical exercise including walking will be more helpful than staying at home and worrying. You may want to give some thought to joining a gym, enrolling in a Yoga class, working with a trainer or a nutritionist, commit to reading more or registering to take a course. It may be the time, even when you are in the midst of your pain, to take steps to develop your spiritual life, especially this month. Perhaps, April is your time to explore your psycho-spiritual self.
And at Inspire, we hope this is the month you decide to invest in your mental health and emotional well-being. Our staff of dedicated professionals is here to help you to work on what is most important in life, you! Please take time to read about our many services and providers on our website: Inspirebehavioralhealth.com, and then call us to schedule an appointment.
We offer high quality and compassionate mental health care and treatment to people living in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, both virtually and in-person with offices in Vienna, Fairfax, Sterling and Bethesda.
We know from our own experience that you may be coping with all of this and more. You may be barely keeping it together following the loss of a loved one, a person or pet, or because of the break-up of a relationship, the worsening of an illness or another one of the many struggles of life we face. Please know you have our support and that we are ready to help and only a phone call away.
Perhaps you will begin writing in a journal this month, or begin living your life with “an attitude of gratitude.” Our hope is we all may feel loved and appreciated, valued and worthwhile. We hope that we all may try to be a little kinder and compassionate to each other and especially to ourselves this month, and may begin to take better care of our body, brain and spirit. It may be time to make an investment in your mental health and emotional well-being. If it is time, and we hope it is, for you to begin living your best life and learn how to free yourself from the worries and problems that burden you, then please call us at Inspire to schedule an appointment to see one of our mental health providers.
There are many reasons to focus on mental health this month, not only because of what has been mentioned already, but also because you may have lost your job or been told to return to work in-person even though you were hired for remote work. Many people are experiencing a range of feelings and emotions with regard to the new administration and the implications and consequences of many of the decisions that have been made.
If you are in recovery, we urge you to remind yourself that this is not the time to give-up by relapsing to unhealthy and self-destructive behaviors. Instead, reconnect with your recovery support network or join a new one.
When it comes to mental illness and substance use issues, if this month is a really tough time for you, we hope you will reach out and let the light, color and splendor of spring that overtakes the darkness of winter, be a metaphor for you to allow the light of mental health to overtake the darkness of your struggles.
Remember, taking care of your mental health is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Inspire Behavioral Health is here to help you improve your mental health, maintain your emotional wellbeing, manage stress and address any concerns you may have.
Keep in mind that help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health or substance use issue, and now is the time to get the help you or they need. Please call us at Inspire Behavioral Health to schedule an appointment to talk with one of our clinicians.
If you find yourself engaging in harmful behaviors, negative self-talk, self-sabotaging, excessive drinking, drug use, or engaging in other risky behavior that has clearly spiraled out of control, please call us to schedule an appointment with one of our mental health and addiction providers.
Our licensed professionals can help you to identify what seem like the dialectical or opposite sides of your thinking and feeling so that you can emerge more integrated and whole. We can help you come to understand how feelings can inform thoughts and vice-versa so that you will not be controlled by intense emotions, irrational feelings, intrusive thoughts, cravings or triggers. We can help you with talk therapy, testing and medication (if clinically indicated) to live a life worth living and learn to thrive in your day-to-day life. Imagine living a more meaningful and rewarding life, communicating more effectively with others and enhancing your interpersonal relationships. Let us help you build that life starting this month, and help you to become more compassionate and strengthen your empathy. Call Inspire Behavioral Health for an appointment today. You can help yourself and, when you are ready, begin to support the longevity, health, and well-being of all members of our society.
If you are in a rural area, you may have difficulty finding a mental health professional nearby, so remember that all of our clinicians are available to you virtually.
What Is Your Story? How can we help you build a life worth Living?
Remember, taking care of your mental health isn’t a luxury – it is a necessity. Inspire Behavioral Health is here to help you improve your mental health, maintain your emotional wellbeing, manage stress and address any concerns you may have.
Keep in mind that help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health or substance use issue, and now is the time to get the help you or they need. Please call us at Inspire Behavioral Health to schedule an appointment to talk with one of our clinicians.
Let Us Help
Clinicians at Inspire Behavioral Health are here to help by joining you on the journey toward mental health and recovery from addictions. May of our providers are trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or DBT, and others are trained and credentialed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT, Rational Emotive Therapy or RET, and many others, all with one goal in mind, to help you.
Our licensed professionals can help you to identify what seem like the dialectical or opposite sides of our thinking and feeling so that you can emerge more integrated and whole. You can come to understand how feelings can inform thoughts and vice versa rather than being controlled by intense emotions, irrational feelings, intrusive thoughts, cravings or triggers. We can help you with talk therapy, testing and medication (if clinically indicated) to live a life worth living and learn to thrive in your day-to-day life. Imagine living a more meaningful and rewarding life, communicating more effectively with others and enhancing your interpersonal relationships. Let us help you build that life, become more compassionate and strengthen your empathy by calling Inspire Behavioral Health for an appointment today. You can help yourself and when you are ready, begin to support the longevity, health, and well-being of all members of our society.
How to Find a Counselor
Once you decide to get professional health for a personal struggle, whether it is about anxiety, depression, grief, a mood disorder, an addiction to a substance or a behavior that has become out of control, a relationship issue, your sexual identity or a behavioral issue, or something else, finding the right type of provider and service can be daunting. Where do you start? Inspire Behavioral Health can help because we are home to many caring professionals with a variety of specialties. We are confident you will find the provider who has the experience to addressing your particular issues and unique circumstances. Please visit our website to read our providers’ biographies, areas of expertise and their perspectives on how to help you. If you are in a rural area, you may have difficulty finding a mental health professional nearby, so remember that all of our clinicians are available to you virtually.
Men’s Education and Therapy Group
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a compassionate type of therapy behavioral therapy that is intended to help people move toward a more mindful, aware and purposeful life. The key skills addressed in DBT include Core Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Members of this group offered at Inspire Behavioral Health led by Psychotherapist, Ed Andrews, are taught the skills necessary to help men deal with life stressors. This is done in a framework that helps people understand that we are doing the best we can while recognizing that there are newer strategies we can learn that may be more effective. This group is a safe, confidential place for men who are sustaining their recovery from chemical or process addictions, coping with chronic illness, aging, managing stress, anxiety and/or depression, accommodating change in their lives, coping with loss and transition, dealing with sexual issues, and seeking support and growth. Please call us for more information about this important group.
Thank you for being part of Inspire Behavioral Health, we appreciate you and wish you a happy April!
Office Location:
Vienna: 2110 Gallows Road Suite D, Vienna, VA 22182
Fairfax: 11211 Waples Mill Road Suite 150, Fairfax, VA 22030
Sterling: 46090 Lake Center Plaza, Suite 103-104, Sterling, VA 20165
Bethesda: 6203 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Ed Andrews, LPC, LMFT, Newsletter Editor
703-592-4600
info@inspirebehavioralhealth.com