Lena Savoie
Alcohol-related deaths in the United States have been on the rise in recent years, with excessive alcohol consumption being a leading cause of premature death. Alcohol-induced deaths have increased across genders, ages, and races, with a significant rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol is linked to various causes of death, including cancer, liver disease, mental and behavioral disorders, and drunk-driving car crashes, resulting in thousands of fatalities each year. The impact of alcohol consumption on public health and safety has led to concerns and efforts to address this issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of alcohol-related deaths | 436,814 (between 1999 and 2022) |
| Mortality rate (per 100,000 people) | 6.7 (in 1999) to 12.5 (in 2022) |
| Annual increase | Higher among women than men |
| Highest rate among men | Washington DC (10 deaths per 100,000 people) |
| Highest rate among women | Washington DC (3.6 deaths per 100,000 people) |
| Alcohol-related cancer deaths | Colon cancer (a 32% rise), oesophageal cancer (a 20.1% rise), pharynx cancers (an 18.3% rise) |
| Alcohol-impaired driving deaths | 13,524 (32% of all traffic fatalities in 2022) |
| Alcohol-related emergency department visits | 47% increase between 2006 and 2014 |
| Alcohol-related deaths | 105,415 (in 2022) |
| Alcohol-related death rates | Highest among adults aged 55-64 years |
| Lowest alcohol-related death rates | Young adults (18-24) |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related cancer deaths
Alcohol is a known carcinogen, classified as such by the International Agency on Cancer Research in 1987. When alcohol is broken down by the body, it produces acetaldehyde, a carcinogen also found in tobacco smoke. Alcohol consumption damages DNA and enhances the absorption of other carcinogens in the mouth and throat. The combination of alcohol and tobacco use has been shown to significantly increase the risk of cancers in the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.
In 2021, liver, colorectal, and esophageal cancers were the deadliest alcohol-related cancers overall. Among men, liver cancer deaths were most prevalent, while breast cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths in women. It is important to note that even small amounts of alcohol can impact breast tissue, as stated by Jane Figueiredo, a professor of medicine.
While cancer deaths overall have decreased in the United States, the rise in alcohol-related cancer deaths is concerning. The increase in alcohol-related cancer deaths has been attributed to shifting drinking habits, with an increasing number of women engaging in heavy drinking and binge drinking. Regional variations exist, with New Mexico experiencing the highest increase in alcohol-related cancer deaths for both men and women, while Utah maintained the lowest rates.
The link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk is evident, and the World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer risk. To address this growing public health concern, experts have recommended cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages.
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Alcohol-induced mortality rates
Alcohol is a leading cause of premature death in the United States, contributing to about 88,000 deaths per year. This figure has seen a sharp increase since 2004, when the number of alcohol-related deaths was approximately 76,000. Alcohol-induced mortality rates are influenced by various factors, including age, gender, and race.
Age is a significant factor in alcohol-induced mortality rates. While mortality is generally higher among those aged 55 and older, the largest increase in crude rates has been observed in the 25-34 age group. This indicates a concerning trend of alcohol-related deaths among younger individuals.
Gender also plays a role in alcohol-induced mortality rates. Historically, males have had higher rates of alcohol-related deaths than females. However, recent trends show that crude rates among females are increasing at a faster pace than among males. This shift may be attributed to changing drinking habits, with a growing number of women engaging in heavy drinking and binge drinking.
Race is another factor that contributes to variations in alcohol-induced mortality rates. While race stratification data is limited due to changes in classification criteria, it is evident that alcohol-induced death rates differ across racial groups.
The main causes of alcohol-induced deaths include alcoholic liver disease (ALD), mental and behavioral disorders related to alcohol use, and cancer. ALD has been identified as the leading cause, particularly among females, during the surge in mortality rates observed in 2020. Mental and behavioral disorders associated with alcohol use also contribute significantly to alcohol-induced mortality, especially in younger cohorts.
Additionally, alcohol-related cancers have been on the rise in the United States. Deaths from seven alcohol-related cancers increased in 47 states for men and 16 states for women. New Mexico saw the most significant increases, while Utah maintained the lowest alcohol-related cancer death rate.
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Alcohol-related traffic accidents
Alcohol-impaired crashes are among the most serious and frequent types of traffic accidents in the United States. Alcohol-related traffic crashes are defined as alcohol-related if either a driver or a non-motorist has a measurable or estimated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 g/dL or above. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 30% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers, with BACs of 0.08 g/dL or higher. This equates to approximately 13,000 lives lost each year as a result of alcohol-related crashes.
In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. These deaths were all preventable. In 2021, there were 5,932 motorcycle operator fatalities in traffic accidents, with 29% of those motorcyclists having alcohol in their system at the time of the crash. The number of alcohol-impaired crashes is even higher when considering that drivers with BACs in the range of 0.01 to 0.07 g/dL were involved in 2,117 crashes in 2023.
The majority of alcohol-impaired crashes, 67%, take place at night, with 40% occurring on residential streets. These crashes have devastating consequences for everyone involved, including the drivers themselves, occupants, and non-occupants. In 2021, 62% of those killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers were the drivers, 29% were occupants, and 9% were non-occupants.
Alcohol-related crashes are a serious public health concern, causing immense heartache and tragedy. They also impose significant economic costs, including medical expenses, lost productivity, and intangible costs such as pain and suffering. In 2020, the economic cost of alcohol-impaired crashes was estimated at approximately $123.3 billion.
To reduce alcohol-related fatal crashes, all states have adopted a minimum legal drinking age of 21. These laws have saved thousands of lives since their implementation. However, alcohol-impaired driving remains a prevalent issue on US roads, and it is essential for the government, community organizations, and the public to work together to address this problem and prevent further loss of life.
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Alcohol-related liver disease
Alcohol misuse is a significant problem in the United States, and it is the leading cause of liver disease in the country. Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) covers a spectrum of disorders, progressing from fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis and culminating in alcoholic cirrhosis, which is the most advanced and irreversible form of liver injury caused by alcohol consumption.
The first stage of ALD is hepatic steatosis, where small fat droplets accumulate under liver cells. This stage, along with the subsequent steatohepatitis stage, may be reversible with alcohol cessation. However, up to 20% of patients with steatosis may still progress to cirrhosis, where liver damage is irreversible.
Women are more susceptible to ALD than men, and obesity and a high-fat diet also increase the risk of developing the disease. Concurrent hepatitis C infection is associated with a younger age of onset, more advanced histological damage, and decreased survival rates.
The prevalence of ALD is difficult to determine, as many people with liver disease may not have been diagnosed. However, according to a 2018 National Health Interview Survey, 4.5 million adults age 18 and older in the U.S. had been diagnosed with liver disease, representing 1.8% of the adult population. While the specific number of alcohol-related liver disease cases is not specified, alcohol is the leading cause of liver disease in the U.S., involving 61% of the population.
In addition to liver disease, alcohol consumption is linked to an increasing number of cancer deaths in the United States. Research shows that yearly cancer deaths attributed to alcohol have doubled in the last three decades, rising from under 12,000 in 1990 to over 23,000 in 2021. This increase is primarily driven by deaths among men aged 55 and older, although shifting drinking habits have resulted in an increasing number of women becoming heavy drinkers as well.
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Alcohol-related mental health disorders
Alcohol misuse and mental health issues are closely intertwined. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) often co-occurs with other mental health disorders, and these conditions may develop simultaneously or sequentially. Depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stress-related disorders, other substance use disorders, and sleep disorders are the most common mental health issues that occur with AUD. Bipolar disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia are also associated with AUD.
People with mental health issues may turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication to cope with their symptoms. However, this can lead to a vicious cycle where alcohol misuse exacerbates existing mental health problems and creates new ones. For example, during withdrawal from heavy drinking, individuals may experience delirium tremens, marked by psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations. Additionally, alcohol increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts.
The link between alcohol and mental health is complex and bidirectional. Research shows that people who drink alcohol are more likely to develop mental health problems, and those with severe mental illness are more prone to alcohol misuse. This relationship highlights the importance of addressing both AUD and co-occurring psychiatric disorders simultaneously in treatment.
Furthermore, alcohol has a significant impact on overall health and well-being. Long-term alcohol misuse increases the risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease, and cancer. It can also lead to social problems such as relationship issues, unemployment, financial difficulties, and homelessness, all of which can further affect mental health.
Recognizing the interplay between alcohol misuse and mental health disorders is crucial for effective prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies. Seeking professional help is essential for managing alcohol misuse and associated mental health disorders.
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Frequently asked questions
Excessive alcohol consumption leads to nearly 88,000 deaths per year in the United States.
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the main cause of alcohol-induced deaths, followed by mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol use.
Alcohol-induced deaths rose sharply across most gender, age, and race groups in Spring 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the trend never returned to pre-pandemic levels for both genders and all age groups less than 75 years.
New Mexico has the highest number of alcohol-related deaths, with approximately 51 deaths yearly per 100,000 people. In contrast, New Jersey has the lowest, with around 19 deaths per 100,000 people.
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