National Alcohol Screening Day, scheduled for Thursday, April 5, not only aims to detect the warning signs of addiction and refer individuals to appropriate care but also breaks down the stigma surrounding addictive diseases, the Bedford (Ind.) Times-Mail reported April 3.

Stigma deters many people from seeking help for addiction, experts agree, but National Alcohol Screening Day can help people with drinking problems take the first step toward recovery.

"I think having a day like this ... is extremely valuable because alcoholism is a disease. It's an illness," said Gerald Tolliver, sponsor of the Mitchell High School chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions. "... I think that a lot of people think that alcoholism is a character flaw or a personality disorder, but it's actually an illness."

"I believe that if you can recognize an issue and address it before there are any real consequences, everyone is better off," added Lawrence Superior Court II Judge William Sleva. "There has been a trend over the last decade or two decades to educate people about alcoholism and the fact that someone with ... an alcohol problem -- dependency or abuse -- can be somebody in your family. It can be the person next door."