Noah Vinter
Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, with about 178,000 people dying from excessive drinking each year. This figure has risen sharply over the past two decades, with liver disease and cancer being the most common causes of alcohol-related deaths. In the UK, cities like Bristol have also seen tens of people die because of alcohol each year, with the number of deaths hitting a record high in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic and the increased availability of alcohol have also been contributing factors to the rising number of alcohol-related deaths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people who die because of alcohol in Bristol, UK | Tens |
| Number of people who die because of alcohol in the U.S. | 178,000 |
| Number of people who die because of alcohol-associated liver disease in the U.S. | 436,814 |
| Number of people who die because of alcohol-associated liver disease in Bristol, UK | 181 |
| Number of people who die because of alcohol-associated liver disease in South Gloucester, UK | 76 |
| Number of people who die because of alcohol-associated liver disease in North Somerset, UK | 95 |
| Number of people who die because of alcohol-related cancer in the U.S. | 23,207 |
| Number of people who die because of alcohol-related cancer in the U.S. (1990) | 11,896 |
| U.S. state with the highest rate of alcohol-related cancer deaths | Washington D.C. |
| U.S. state with the lowest rate of alcohol-related cancer deaths | Utah |
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Alcohol-related cancer deaths
Alcohol consumption is a contributing factor to many cancer deaths. In the United States, yearly cancer deaths linked to alcohol have doubled over the last three decades, rising from 11,896 in 1990 to 23,207 in 2021. This represents about 4% of the 600,000 cancer deaths in the country in 2019. The number of alcohol-related cancer deaths varies across states, with Washington D.C. recording the highest rate and Utah the lowest.
Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing at least seven types of cancer, including liver, colorectal, esophageal, breast, throat, voice box, and mouth cancer. Liver cancer was the most common cancer linked with alcohol, with cases jumping by 117% between 1990 and 2021. In men, liver cancer deaths were most common, while breast cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths in women.
The risk of developing alcohol-related cancers is influenced by a person's genes, specifically those encoding enzymes involved in metabolizing alcohol. The body metabolizes alcohol through enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which converts ethanol into the carcinogenic metabolite acetaldehyde. Many East Asians have a "superactive" form of ADH that speeds up this conversion, increasing their risk of pancreatic cancer. Additionally, acetaldehyde production in the oral cavity may be influenced by factors such as the oral microbiome.
Excessive alcohol consumption, defined as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more for men, further elevates the risk of various health issues, including heart and liver disease, depression, anxiety, and memory problems. The ethanol content in alcoholic beverages contributes to their harmful effects, with higher ethanol levels causing greater harm. The cumulative effects of alcohol consumption become more apparent in middle age, as the body's ability to process alcohol decreases, allowing it to linger in the body and cause more damage.
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Liver disease
Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is caused by the heavy use of alcohol. The liver breaks down alcohol, and if one consumes more than the liver can process, it can become seriously damaged. The liver is very resilient and capable of regenerating itself, but prolonged alcohol misuse over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate, resulting in serious and permanent damage.
ARLD does not usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged. Fatty liver disease, the first stage of ARLD, rarely causes any symptoms but is an important warning sign that one is drinking at a harmful level. Fatty liver disease is reversible; if one stops drinking alcohol for some time (months or years), the liver should return to normal. Alcoholic hepatitis, which is unrelated to infectious hepatitis, is a potentially serious condition that can be caused by alcohol misuse over a longer period. When this develops, it may be the first time a person is aware they are damaging their liver through alcohol.
Cirrhosis is a stage of ARLD where the liver has become significantly scarred. Even at this stage, there may not be any obvious symptoms, and it is generally not reversible. Stopping drinking alcohol immediately can prevent further damage and significantly increase one's life expectancy. There is currently no specific medical treatment for ARLD. The main treatment is to stop drinking, preferably for the rest of one's life. This reduces the risk of further damage to the liver and gives it the best chance of recovering. If a person is dependent on alcohol, stopping drinking can be very difficult, but support, advice, and medical treatment may be available through local alcohol addiction support services. A liver transplant may be required in severe cases where the liver has stopped functioning and does not improve when one stops drinking alcohol.
Research has shown that consuming alcohol in any amount raises the risk of liver disease. Alcohol-associated liver disease deaths have surged from 6.7 to 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people, with the annual increase higher among women than men, and young people showing "concerning trends."
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Heart disease
Alcohol consumption is a major cause of concern when it comes to heart disease, with excessive drinking linked to a range of cardiovascular issues that can lead to fatalities. The negative health impacts of alcohol on the heart are well-documented, and these effects are cumulative over a person's lifetime. Middle-aged individuals, in particular those aged 35 to 50, are more susceptible to the adverse effects of alcohol on their heart health.
Alcohol is a contributing factor to cardiovascular deaths, with substances like opioids, cocaine, and stimulants also playing a role. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, alcohol was associated with 65% of all cardiovascular deaths related to substance use. This highlights the significant role that alcohol plays in heart-related fatalities. The study also revealed that certain demographics, including women, American Indians, Alaska Natives, younger adults, and rural residents, are more vulnerable to alcohol-related cardiovascular issues.
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a higher risk of heart disease through various mechanisms. Firstly, it raises blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular problems. High blood pressure can cause fatty plaques to build up in the arteries, increasing the likelihood of a heart attack. Secondly, alcohol contributes to weight gain and obesity due to its high calorie content and the added sugars in mixers. Obesity is another risk factor for heart disease and can increase the chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
Additionally, alcohol can cause palpitations, where individuals become aware of their pounding or rapidly beating heart. This is related to an increased heart rate, which can be dangerous and warrants medical attention. Regular binge drinking can also lead to alcohol dependence and increase the risk of alcohol-related heart disease. Furthermore, alcohol consumption can worsen existing heart conditions and make it harder to manage weight, further elevating the risk of cardiovascular events.
To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to not exceed the maximum weekly limit of 14 units of alcohol and to incorporate several alcohol-free days into your weekly routine. These steps can help reduce the health risks associated with alcohol consumption and lower the chances of alcohol-related heart disease and associated fatalities.
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Alcohol poisoning
Alcohol is a leading cause of preventable death. In the United States, the number of alcohol-related deaths has been rising over the past two decades, with liver disease deaths roughly doubling in that time. In 2021, an estimated 23,207 people died from cancer caused by alcohol, up from 11,896 deaths in 1990. Liver cancer was the most common alcohol-related cancer, with cases increasing by 117%. Alcohol-associated liver disease deaths have also surged, with the mortality rate increasing from 6.7 to 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
The symptoms of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, pale or blue-tinged skin, dulled responses (such as a loss of the gag reflex), and extremely low body temperature. If someone is displaying these symptoms, they should be taken to the hospital immediately, as alcohol poisoning can cause serious complications, including liver and heart failure. It is important to stay with the person and ensure they don't choke on their vomit or stop breathing. They should not be given coffee or drinks containing caffeine, as this can dehydrate them.
Certain factors can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning, including binge drinking, high-intensity drinking, and combining alcohol with certain medications or drugs. Binge drinking is defined as consuming enough alcohol to bring blood alcohol concentration to 0.08% or higher, which corresponds to five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women in about two hours. High-intensity drinking is drinking two or more times the binge-drinking thresholds. Additionally, alcohol use alongside opioids, sedative hypnotics, or even over-the-counter antihistamines can increase the risk of overdose.
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Stroke
Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide. In 2019, 2.6 million deaths were attributable to alcohol consumption, with 2 million of those deaths among men and 0.6 million among women. The highest levels of alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 persons are observed in the WHO European and African Regions, with 52.9 and 52.2 deaths, respectively.
In the United States, excessive alcohol use leads to about 178,000 deaths each year, with approximately 120,000 male deaths and 59,000 female deaths. Two-thirds of these alcohol-related deaths (about 117,000) are from chronic conditions that develop from drinking alcohol over time, and one-third (about 61,000) are from binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion.
Alcohol consumption, even at low levels, can bring health risks, but most alcohol-related harms come from heavy episodic or continuous drinking. Alcohol plays a causal role in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions, including liver disease, heart disease, and different types of cancers. Globally, excessive alcohol consumption is linked to over 1 million strokes each year. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of stroke in several ways. Firstly, it can lead to hypertension, which is associated with over half of all strokes. Secondly, it can trigger a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF), and people with AF are five times more likely to experience a stroke.
While the health risks of excessive drinking are clear, there are simple steps that can be taken to prevent strokes and other negative health outcomes. These include setting and sticking to limits on alcohol consumption, opting for smaller servings, and finding healthier methods of relaxation, such as exercise.
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Frequently asked questions
Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. About 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year, a 29% increase from 2016-2017.
Alcohol is linked to many health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and memory problems. When consumed, the body turns the ethanol in alcoholic beverages into acetaldehyde, which can damage DNA and lead to cancerous mutations.
Alcohol-related deaths have increased among all age groups, with about 4,000 deaths per year among young people under 21. The mortality rate from alcohol-associated liver disease doubled from 6.7 to 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people, with a higher annual increase among women than men.
