Lena Savoie
Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are serious issues in the United States, with approximately 3 million people dying globally each year as a result of alcohol abuse. Alcohol-related deaths account for 5.3% to 6% of all deaths worldwide, and alcohol is a significant driver of mortality from various ailments, including cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis, and several types of cancer. In the US, alcohol causes 10% of deaths among 15- to 49-year-olds and 13.5% of deaths among 20- to 39-year-olds. Men are three times more likely than women to die from alcohol abuse. A 2017 study revealed that one in eight American adults, or 12.7% of the population, met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder, indicating a serious public health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns also significantly impacted alcohol consumption, with over half of Americans reporting increased alcohol intake during this period.
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) rates
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a serious health condition that can have detrimental effects on an individual's life. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2023, 28.9 million people aged 12 and older (10.2%) had AUD in the past year. This includes 16.8 million males (12.1%) and 12 million females (8.3%). The rate of AUD among American Indian or Alaska Native people was 11.6%, and it was 5.7% for Asian Americans.
While the NSDUH provides valuable insights, it is important to recognize that the 2021-2023 estimates may not be directly comparable to earlier years due to changes in methodology or other factors. This is an important consideration when analyzing trends over time.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns had a significant impact on alcohol consumption in the United States. During this period, online liquor sales surged, and a Johns Hopkins-University of Maryland-Baltimore survey found that 60.1% of participants reported drinking more alcohol. This increase in consumption may have contributed to the rise in AUD cases.
A 2017 study published in JAMA Psychiatry revealed a concerning trend. It found that the rate of AUD in the US rose by 49% during the first decade of the 2000s. This increase led to a staggering 12.7% of the US population meeting the diagnostic criteria for AUD. The study underscored the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the link between AUD and various ailments, including cardiovascular diseases, liver cirrhosis, and several types of cancer.
AUD affects different demographic groups in varying proportions. For example, a higher rate of AUD has been observed among men (16.7%), Native Americans (16.6%), and individuals below the poverty threshold (14.3%). Additionally, young adults under the age of 30 are particularly vulnerable, with nearly 1 in 4 (23.4%) meeting the diagnostic criteria for AUD. These disparities emphasize the need for targeted interventions and support for at-risk communities.
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Binge drinking
The economic impact of binge drinking is substantial. In 2010, it accounted for 77% of the $249 billion economic cost of alcohol misuse in the United States. These costs encompass lost labour, decreased workplace productivity, property damage, crashes, criminal justice expenses, and the toll on individuals' health, quality of life, and safety. The median cost to states was $3.5 billion in 2010, ranging from $488 million in North Dakota to $35 billion in California.
Recent surveys conducted during the COVID-19 lockdowns revealed that over half of Americans increased their alcohol consumption, with 34.1% reporting binge drinking and 7.0% engaging in extreme binge drinking. Stress, increased alcohol availability, and boredom were cited as contributing factors. These statistics highlight the pervasive nature of binge drinking in the United States and underscore the need for effective public health interventions to address this issue.
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Alcohol-related deaths
In 2022, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 13,524 deaths, or 32% of overall driving fatalities. Additionally, 28% of all driving fatalities are attributable to drunk driving, with approximately 28 to 30 people losing their lives every day in drunk driving accidents. This equates to one person every 52 minutes. Alcohol is also a factor in suicides, with 21% of suicide decedents having blood alcohol concentrations of 0.1% or higher, and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) being the second most common mental disorder among suicide victims.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns had a notable impact on alcohol consumption, with online liquor sales rising 262% year-over-year in the first three weeks of March 2020. This increase in alcohol consumption may have contributed to the rise in alcohol-related deaths.
American Indians/Alaskan Natives have the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths, followed by White/Caucasians. The Midwest region experienced the most significant increase in mortality rates, with a 2.5-fold rise. New Mexico has the highest death rate at 34.3 deaths per 100,000 people, while Hawaii has the lowest at 5.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
Overall, alcohol-related deaths in the United States are a significant concern, with approximately 261 alcohol-related deaths occurring daily and a total of over 3 million people dying each year worldwide due to alcohol abuse.
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Alcohol consumption by age and gender
Alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are prevalent in the United States, with varying trends across age groups and genders. Here is an overview of alcohol consumption and its impact among different age groups and genders:
Youth (Ages 12-17)
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 5.6 million youth aged 12 to 17 (21.6% in this age group) reported ever drinking alcohol. This includes 2.5 million boys (19.1%) and 3.1 million girls (24.1%). The prevalence of drinking among youth varies across ethnicities, with higher rates among White and Hispanic or Latino youth.
Young Adults (Ages 18-25)
While the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, a significant proportion of young adults aged 18-20 have reported alcohol consumption. Binge drinking is most common among adults in their 20s, with the highest rates in the 26-29 age group. In 2023, nearly 61% of those aged 26 to 29 were current alcohol drinkers, and this age group also had the highest rates of binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women on a single occasion.
Adults (Age 18 and Older)
Overall, alcohol consumption is prevalent among adults in the United States. According to the 2023 NSDUH, 218.7 million adults aged 18 and older (84.9%) reported ever drinking alcohol. In 2018, two-thirds of adults aged 18 and over consumed alcohol in the past year. Heavy drinking, defined as consuming more than 7 drinks per week for women and more than 14 drinks per week for men, was reported by 5.1% of adults in 2018. Binge drinking is also common among adults, with 24.0% of adults aged 18 and older reporting binge drinking in the last 30 days in 2020.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
AUD affects a significant portion of the population across age groups and genders. In 2020, 10.2% of Americans aged 12 and older had AUD. According to the 2023 NSDUH, 28.9 million people aged 12 and older (10.2%) had AUD in the past year. This includes 16.8 million males (12.1%) and 12.0 million females (8.3%). Females aged 12 to 17 are 61.5% more likely to have AUD than males in the same age group.
Impact of Alcohol on Health
Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and AUD have severe consequences for health. Alcohol-related deaths account for up to 6% of global deaths, with 3 million deaths each year. In the United States, alcohol causes 10% of deaths among 15- to 49-year-olds and 13.5% of deaths among 20- to 39-year-olds. Men are three times more likely to die from alcohol abuse than women. The COVID-19 lockdowns also impacted alcohol consumption, with over half of Americans increasing their alcohol intake during this period.
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Alcoholism among parents
Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are serious issues in the United States, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole. While the exact number of people dependent on alcohol in the US is challenging to pinpoint, studies provide estimates. According to a 2017 study published in JAMA Psychiatry, one in eight American adults, or 12.7% of the US population, met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) at that time. This figure represented a 49% increase compared to the previous decade.
More recent data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicates that 10.2% of Americans aged 12 and older, equivalent to 28.9 million people, had experienced AUD in the past year. This figure includes 16.8 million males (12.1%) and 12 million females (8.3%) in the same age group. While these numbers are substantial, it's important to recognize that they represent individuals from all ages and backgrounds, including parents.
Furthermore, children with alcoholic parents are four times more likely to engage in excessive drinking themselves at some point in their lives. This heightened risk may be attributed to both genetic factors and the normalization of unhealthy drinking habits within the family. In the US, approximately 11 million children under the age of 18 live with at least one alcoholic parent. When a parent is consumed by their alcohol dependency, they often fail to meet their child's basic needs, such as nutrition, safety, education, structure, consistency, affection, and healthcare.
The impact of parental alcoholism can extend into adulthood, with children of alcoholics exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an increased likelihood of choosing partners with substance use disorders (SUDs). They may also face challenges in achieving a higher socioeconomic status and forming healthy relationships. However, it's important to note that not all children of alcoholic parents develop drinking problems themselves, and the risk is influenced by various environmental and genetic factors.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 28.9 million people aged 12 and older (10.2% in this age group) had AUD in the past year.
A 2017 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that one in eight American adults, or 12.7% of the population, met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD). This equates to approximately 30 million adults, depending on the exact population figure used.
Alcohol dependence varies across different demographics in the US. For example, the 2017 study found that rates of alcoholism were higher among men (16.7%), Native Americans (16.6%), people below the poverty threshold (14.3%), and people living in the Midwest (14.8%). Additionally, nearly 1 in 4 adults under 30 (23.4%) met the diagnostic criteria for alcoholism.
Binge drinking is relatively common in the US, especially among younger people. In 2019, 11.1% of young people aged 12-20 engaged in binge drinking in the past month. In 2018, 5.1% of adults aged 18 and over engaged in heavy drinking, which is defined as consuming more than 7 drinks per week for women and more than 14 drinks per week for men.
The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had a significant impact on alcohol consumption in the United States. A Johns Hopkins-University of Maryland-Baltimore survey found that 60.1% of participants reported drinking more alcohol after March 1, 2020, with 34.1% reporting binge drinking and 7% reporting extreme binge drinking. Additionally, online liquor sales rose 262% year-over-year in the first three weeks of March 2020, coinciding with most state-wide lockdowns.
