Published March 15, 2025
It’s important to know the facts about alcohol and drug use. Accurate information helps Iowans make the best decisions for their health and wellness.
March 17-23 is Drug and Alcohol Facts Week. We invite you to take the time to learn how the use of substances impact health and wellness. Have a concern your or someone else's use of alcohol and drugs? Your Life Iowa is here to help.
What does alcohol do?
Alcohol is a sedative. It slows down the body. Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways. These disruptions can change mood and behavior. This can impact the brain's ability to think as well as the body's physical coordination.
The order in which you drink does not impact whether you’ll get sick or not.
Drinking beer before shots won’t prevent you from getting sick. It all depends on the total amount of alcohol you consume, not the order you drink in.
Different drinks may have more than one serving of alcohol.
A standard drink in the US contains half an ounce of pure alcohol. This is the amount of alcohol in 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.
Opioid-related overdose deaths are the most common type of overdose deaths in Iowa. In 2021, there were 398 overdose deaths-related in Iowa. Of those, opioids counted for 73.1 percent. The number of overdose deaths more than doubled between 2020 and 2021.
The DEA seizes millions of lethal doses of fentanyl each year.
In 2023, DEA seized more than 80 million fentanyl-laced fake pills. They also seized almost 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2023 seizures equate to more than 390 million lethal doses of fentanyl.
It’s important to be aware of how alcohol and drugs can impact your health.
Have a concern about your or someone else's use of alcohol and drugs? Your Life Iowa is here to help. Your Life Iowa is available 24/7 by calling (855) 581-8111 or texting (855) 895-8398. You can also chat with a counselor here.