Facts About Alcohol

Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States

Alcohol addiction can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Long-term alcohol use can cause serious health complications. It also damages the person’s emotional and mental health, financial stability, career, and their family, friends, and community. Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States. 

17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence along with several million more who engage in risky binge drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems.

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance and can cause severe health consequences, even if it’s only used for a short period of time. In the United States, many people begin using alcohol at a very young age. 66.6 million people from age 12 to 17 report binge drinking. That’s 1 in 4 young people, many of whom also report using other substances or trying other high risk behaviors.

Engaging in binge drinking can lead to problems with alcohol. The problem can be exacerbated by a home environment where heavy drinking or alcohol use is considered “normal.” A family history of alcohol problems is the single major factor that can predict alcohol addiction, which is one type of substance use disorder. More than half of all adults have a family history of alcohol addiction or problem drinking, and more than 7 million children live in a household where at least one parent is dependent on or has severely misused alcohol.

Alcohol use disorder can develop in anyone who is predisposed to it. The condition cannot be predicted by what kind of alcohol the person drinks, how long they have been drinking, or even how much they drink. However, early alcohol use, binge drinking, and a family history of problems with alcohol are all linked to future health issues.

Cutting back on drinking, eliminating alcohol completely, and avoiding any form of alcohol are all ways to reduce health risks. Substance use disorder affects the person who drinks: it also affects the entire social system around them, from their co-workers to their children. A healthier individual helps create a healthier family, community, and country.

Alcohol addiction and alcohol misuse can affect all aspects of a person’s life.  Long-term alcohol use can cause serious health complications, can damage emotional stability, finances, career, and impact one’s family, friends, and community. 

If you are questioning your alcohol use – take our self-quiz and see where alcohol might be a problem for you. Or learn more about drugs.

Facts About Alcohol

• 2.8 million worldwide deaths caused by alcohol annually.
• 3rd Alcohol addiction is the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death in the nation.
• 88,000 deaths are annually attributed to excessive alcohol use in the U.S

Alcohol addiction and alcohol misuse can affect all aspects of a person's life.  

40%

of all hospital beds in the United States are being used to treat health conditions that are related to alcohol consumption.

Over time, excessive alcohol use, both in the form of heavy drinking or binge drinking, can lead to numerous health problems, chronic diseases, neurological impairments, and social problems, including but not limited to:

• Dementia, stroke and neuropathy
• Cardiovascular problems, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and hypertension
• Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide
• Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, family problems, violence including child maltreatment, fights and homicide
• Unintentional injuries, such as motor-vehicle traffic crashes, falls, drowning, burns and firearm injuries.
• Increased risk for many kinds of cancers, including liver, mouth, throat, larynx (voice box) and esophagus
• Liver diseases, including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis
• Gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and gastritis
• Alcohol addiction