Mason Delacroix
Alcohol consumption is a major cause of death, disease, and injury in the United States. Excessive drinking, including binge drinking, heavy drinking, and drinking during pregnancy or by those under 21, can have severe negative impacts on health. Alcohol-related harm affects not only the drinker but also those around them, and it is a leading preventable cause of death in the US. Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, stroke, and dementia, as well as mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. It is also a factor in accidents, violence, and crime. In 2019, alcohol use was responsible for 6.7% of all deaths among men and 2.4% of all deaths among women. The availability of alcohol, mental health issues, and challenges in accessing healthcare have contributed to the increase in alcohol-related deaths. Public policies and interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm should be guided by public health interests and based on clear goals and evidence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Excessive alcohol consumption | Binge drinking, heavy drinking, drinking during pregnancy or by people under 21 |
| Excessive alcohol consumption in the U.S. | 52.8% of adults 18 and older regularly consumed alcohol in 2018; 25.1% had at least one heavy drinking day in the past year |
| Alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. | About 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year, a 29% increase from 2016-2017 |
| Alcohol-related deaths globally | Alcohol use was responsible for 6.7% of all deaths among men and 2.4% of all deaths among women in 2019 |
| Alcohol-related health issues | Cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, digestive problems, weakened immune system, mental health conditions, learning and memory problems, relationship issues |
| Alcohol-related harm | Accidents, violence, crime, verbal or physical abuse |
| Global action on alcohol harm | Global alcohol action plan 2022-2030, endorsed by WHO Member States, aims to reduce harmful alcohol use through effective strategies at national, regional and global levels |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related deaths
Alcohol misuse is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Excessive alcohol use can lead to a range of negative health outcomes, including liver disease, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive problems, a weakened immune system, mental health conditions, and memory problems. The impact of alcohol consumption is not limited to the drinker but can also harm those around them.
American Indians and Alaska Natives have been disproportionately affected by alcohol-related deaths, witnessing the sharpest increase and highest rates among all racial groups. In 2019, the death rate for American Indians and Alaska Natives was 50.5 per 100,000 people, a significant jump from 30.8 in 2006. White people have also seen a notable increase in their death rate, rising from 6.9 in 2006 to 11.1 in 2019.
When examining gender differences, men have consistently borne the brunt of alcohol-related deaths, with 68,000 out of 95,000 annual alcohol-related deaths being male. However, women have experienced a larger relative increase in alcohol-related mortality, possibly due to changing social norms and targeted marketing by the alcohol industry. From 1999 to 2020, the alcohol-related death rate for women doubled, rising from 4.8 to 12 per 100,000.
Drunk driving fatalities have also contributed significantly to alcohol-related deaths, with 28% of overall driving fatalities involving alcohol. While drunk driving fatalities have been on a general decline since 1991, with a record low in 2019, they continue to claim the lives of approximately 28 to 30 people every day.
To address these alarming trends, public health interventions, and policies guided by clear goals and evidence are essential. The SAFER initiative by the WHO and partners supports countries in implementing cost-effective interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm. Additionally, screening for alcohol use in primary care settings and early identification of individuals at risk can play a crucial role in mitigating these risks and providing necessary support and treatment.
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Health conditions caused by alcohol
Alcohol misuse and excessive alcohol consumption can have a wide range of adverse effects on the body and are linked to more than 200 health conditions. Alcohol is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, contributing to about 4.3 million emergency department visits and an estimated 178,000 deaths in the US each year.
Cancer
Any amount of alcohol consumption increases the risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, colon, rectum, liver, and breast. In the United States, more than 20,000 people die from alcohol-related cancers each year.
Cardiovascular Problems
Heavy drinking can increase blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are major risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. Alcohol also directly impacts the cardiovascular system, contributing to conditions such as hypertension and atrial fibrillation.
Liver Disease
The liver is responsible for filtering alcohol from the body, and excessive alcohol consumption can harm the liver and lead to liver disease.
Endocrine System Disturbances
Heavy alcohol use can cause disturbances in the endocrine system, including the thyroid, adrenal glands, gonads, pancreas, and adipose tissue. This can lead to hormonal imbalances and contribute to endocrine-related health conditions such as diabetes, thyroid diseases, dyslipidemia, and reproductive dysfunction.
Brain and Nervous System Damage
Alcohol can affect the brain and nervous system, impairing judgement, decision-making, reaction time, and coordination. Long-term alcohol misuse can lead to cognitive, social, and behavioural deficits, as well as motor skill impairments. Prenatal alcohol exposure can also alter brain development, resulting in lifelong neurodevelopmental effects.
Mental Health Conditions
Excessive alcohol use is associated with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Alcohol misuse can also lead to social issues and relationship problems with family and friends.
Immune System Weakening
Long-term alcohol misuse can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of serious infections and making it challenging to manage other health conditions.
Digestive Problems
Alcohol can upset digestion, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and indigestion.
Bone Weakening
Alcohol misuse can weaken bones, increasing the risk of fractures or breaks.
Alcohol Poisoning
Consuming more than 12 units of alcohol in a short period can lead to alcohol poisoning, where alcohol interferes with the body's automatic functions. Alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening, potentially causing a person to fall into a coma.
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Alcohol's impact on mental health
Alcohol misuse can have a detrimental impact on mental health, and this relationship works both ways. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) often co-occurs with other mental health disorders, and the conditions may develop simultaneously or sequentially. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders is much higher among persons with AUD compared to the general population.
Depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and stress-related disorders, other substance use disorders, and sleep disorders are the most common mental health conditions that co-occur with AUD. Bipolar disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia also frequently co-occur with AUD and should be addressed during AUD treatment.
Alcohol use, especially adolescent drinking and long-term exposure to alcohol, may predispose individuals to develop psychiatric disorders. AUD and other psychiatric disorders often share genetic risks and environmental vulnerabilities such as trauma and adverse childhood experiences. The co-occurrence of AUD and another mental health disorder can complicate diagnoses and negatively impact the clinical course of both conditions. Many clinical features of AUD overlap with other psychiatric disorders, including sleep disturbances and negative emotional states such as worry, dysphoria, sadness, or irritability, which often occur during cycles of alcohol intoxication, withdrawal, and craving.
Excessive alcohol use can also increase risky behavior, lower inhibitions, and increase impulsivity, which can put individuals in risky or dangerous situations that may impact their mood. Alcohol misuse while experiencing depression increases the risk of suicide attempts. Even without an existing mental health condition, alcohol misuse can increase the risk of developing depression. To improve mental health and break this cycle, individuals should reduce or stop their alcohol use and learn to cope with depressive feelings in healthier ways.
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Alcohol consumption by minors
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2023 reported that about 5.6 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20, or 15% of this age group, currently consume alcohol. This represents a decline in the prevalence of alcohol consumption among 12- to 20-year-olds since 2021, with nearly 88% of American youth not consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. However, the number of current drinkers is still significant, and the rate of current alcohol consumption increases with age, from 1.2% among 12-13-year-olds to 6% among 14-15-year-olds, and more than doubling to 31% among 18-20-year-olds.
Underage drinking contributes to a range of acute consequences, including injuries, sexual assaults, alcohol overdoses, and deaths, including those from motor vehicle crashes. Alcohol is a factor in the deaths of thousands of people under the age of 21 in the United States each year. Additionally, underage drinking can lead to aggressive behavior, property damage, and violence, impacting not only the drinkers but also those around them.
To address this issue, it is important to encourage children to participate in healthy and fun activities that do not involve alcohol. Research has shown that children of actively involved parents are less likely to drink alcohol. Providing education and raising awareness about the risks of underage drinking can also help prevent alcohol misuse among minors.
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Alcohol's effect on physical health
Alcohol consumption can have a significant impact on physical health, affecting nearly every part of the body. Excessive alcohol use can lead to serious short-term and long-term health issues, and even moderate drinking can negatively impact brain health. The risk of alcohol-related harm increases with the amount consumed, and certain groups, such as those under the legal drinking age and pregnant women, are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol.
Excessive alcohol use can be defined in several ways, including binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or individuals under the legal drinking age of 21 in the United States. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men on a single occasion, while heavy drinking involves consuming eight or more drinks for women or 15 or more drinks for men in a week.
The negative physical health effects of alcohol are extensive and can impact various organs and systems in the body. Alcohol use can lead to liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive problems, and a weakened immune system, increasing the likelihood of contracting illnesses. It also contributes to endocrine-related health conditions, including thyroid diseases, abnormal cholesterol levels, reproductive dysfunction, stress intolerance, and diabetes. Additionally, alcohol can disrupt or delay puberty and increase the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer in women.
The risk of alcohol-related harm is not limited to those who drink excessively. According to the National Cancer Institute, there is a scientific consensus that alcohol consumption can cause several types of cancer. In the United States, more than 20,000 people die from alcohol-related cancers each year. The less alcohol consumed, the lower the risk of these health effects. Reducing alcohol consumption can improve overall health and well-being and lower the chances of developing alcohol-related diseases and conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Excessive alcohol use refers to drinking in ways that can negatively impact health. This includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking during pregnancy or by people under the age of 21.
Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, with about 178,000 deaths each year. It increases the risk of various health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, digestive problems, weakened immune system, mental health conditions, memory problems, relationship issues, and several types of cancer.
According to the National Health Interview Survey in 2018, 52.8% of adults aged 18 and older regularly consumed alcohol. Additionally, 25.1% of adults in this age group had at least one heavy drinking day in the past year. Excessive alcohol use is particularly common among those aged 12 and older, and it has been linked to a 29% increase in alcohol-related deaths between 2016-2017 and 2025, resulting in about 4 million years of potential life lost.
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to short-term effects such as hangovers, impaired concentration and judgment, and increased risk of accidents, violence, and crime. It can also negatively impact sleep and cause alcohol intoxication, which can result in verbal or physical abuse.
Individuals can improve their health and well-being by drinking less alcohol. This includes limiting the number of drinks per occasion and per week, as well as refraining from drinking during pregnancy and for those under the legal drinking age. Seeking support for alcohol misuse or abuse is also crucial to mitigate the negative consequences on physical and mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
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