Noah Vinter
Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, with about 178,000 people dying from excessive drinking each year. This includes deaths from chronic conditions that develop from drinking alcohol over time, such as several types of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol use disorder. Binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion can also lead to alcohol-related deaths, including motor vehicle crashes, alcohol-involved drug overdoses, alcohol poisonings, and suicides. Alcohol use can affect men and women differently, with an increase in alcohol-related deaths among women as more young women binge drink than men.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people who die from excessive drinking each year | 178,000 |
| Number of alcohol-related deaths from chronic conditions each year | 117,000 |
| Number of alcohol-related deaths from binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion each year | 61,000 |
| Number of alcohol-related cancer deaths each year | 20,000-23,000 |
| Number of alcohol-related vehicle crash deaths each year | 13,500 |
| Number of deaths from alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) in 2022 | 8 per 100,000 women |
| Number of deaths from alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) in 2022 | 17 per 100,000 men |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related cancer deaths
Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000–25,000 cancer deaths annually. This accounts for 4% of the 600,000 cancer deaths in the US each year. Alcohol-related cancer deaths have doubled in the US over the last three decades, rising from under 12,000 a year in 1990 to over 23,000 a year in 2021. This increase was driven by deaths in men aged 55 and older, although deaths from the seven alcohol-related cancers also increased among women in 16 states. In both groups, deaths among people living in New Mexico rose the most, by nearly 60% for men and 18% for women.
The US National Toxicology Program concluded in 2000 that consuming alcoholic beverages is a known human carcinogen. In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that alcohol causes cancer in people. Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risks of oral cavity, throat, voice box, oesophageal, liver, colon and rectal, and breast cancers. It is also associated with pancreatic cancer, with one study reporting a link between chronic and binge drinking and this form of cancer. Alcohol consumption may also be linked to increased risks of melanoma and of prostate and stomach cancers.
Alcohol can directly affect hormone levels in ways that increase cancer risk. For example, moderate alcohol consumption can elevate oestrogen levels, increasing the risk of breast cancer, and promote further drinking. Alcohol also amplifies breast cancer risk by reducing levels of vitamin A, which regulates oestrogen. People who smoke and drink have an elevated risk of developing cancer of the mouth, pharynx and larynx, as alcohol makes it easier for the body to absorb the carcinogens in cigarettes and e-vapes.
A person's risk of alcohol-related cancers is influenced by their genes, specifically the genes that encode enzymes involved in metabolising alcohol. For example, the body metabolises alcohol through the activity of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which converts ethanol into the carcinogenic metabolite acetaldehyde, mainly in the liver. Many individuals of East Asian descent have a "superactive" form of ADH that speeds up this conversion, increasing their risk of pancreatic cancer.
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Alcohol-associated liver disease deaths
Alcohol misuse is one of the most common causes of death in the UK, alongside smoking and high blood pressure. Alcohol-associated liver disease (ARLD) is caused by heavy alcohol use and is a common but preventable disease. The liver's job is to break down alcohol, and if you drink more than it can process, it can become badly damaged or even fail. Steatotic (fatty) liver disease can occur in anyone who consumes a lot of alcohol. Alcohol-associated hepatitis and cirrhosis are linked to long-term unhealthy alcohol use.
The effects of alcohol on the liver depend on how much and how long a person has been drinking. Symptoms of ARLD may differ depending on these factors, and the disease may look like other health problems. Upper belly discomfort on the right side is a common symptom, caused by the build-up of fat inside liver cells that enlarges the liver. ARLD is often diagnosed during tests for other conditions or at a stage of advanced liver damage, as it frequently does not cause symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged.
The most important part of ARLD treatment is to stop drinking alcohol completely. In some cases, a liver transplant may be needed. With complete alcohol avoidance, the liver can often heal some of its damage, allowing the individual to return to a normal life. Participating in an alcohol use disorder treatment program and avoiding all alcohol can improve the likelihood of favourable outcomes. Dietary changes, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory medicines may also be recommended.
In the US, alcoholic liver disease was the most frequent underlying cause of alcohol-induced deaths in 2020. The rate of deaths from alcoholic liver disease increased by 23% from 2019 to 2020. Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually. Alcohol-related cancer deaths have doubled in the US over the last three decades, rising from under 12,000 a year in 1990 to more than 23,000 in 2021.
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Binge drinking deaths
Binge drinking is the most common way that people drink alcohol excessively. Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually. In comparison, alcohol-related vehicle crashes cause around 13,500 deaths each year in the US. According to the US National Toxicology Program, consuming alcoholic beverages is a known human carcinogen.
Alcohol-related deaths have more than doubled in the last two decades, with nearly 50,000 alcohol-related deaths reported in 2020, up from 19,356 in 1999. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to the rise in alcohol-related deaths, as many people experienced heightened anxiety, economic uncertainty, and social isolation. Policies in many states also expanded options for carry-out alcohol and home delivery, making alcohol more accessible.
Binge drinking can lead to death, as evidenced by several tragic cases. For example, 18-year-old college freshman Philip Dhanens died from binge drinking during a hazing ritual where he was locked in a room and told to drink all the alcohol. Another case involved Timothy Jarvis, who fell down a flight of stairs and suffered severe head injuries after drinking a bottle of rum in 15 minutes. Megan Helal, a 19-year-old college student, also died after consuming between ten and seventeen vodka drinks at a fraternity party.
Alcohol use can affect men and women differently. From 2020 to 2021, there was a 27% increase in alcohol-related deaths among boys and men and a 35% increase among girls and women compared to 2016-2017. Deaths from the seven alcohol-related cancers increased among men in 47 states and in 16 states for women, with the highest increases seen in New Mexico for both groups.
Overall, excessive alcohol use, including binge drinking, is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of about 178,000 people each year.
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Alcohol-related vehicle crashes
Alcohol-impaired driving is one of the biggest safety issues on US roads. Alcohol-related vehicle crashes claim around 13,500 lives each year in the US, with about 30% of all traffic crash fatalities involving drunk drivers. In 2023, there were 12,429 people killed in these preventable crashes, a decrease from 13,524 in 2022.
The risk of crashing increases as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises. At a BAC of 0.08 g/dL, crash risk increases exponentially, and it is illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability, and drivers with a BAC of 0.08 are approximately four times more likely to crash than sober drivers. At a BAC of 0.15, drivers are at least 12 times more likely to crash.
Alcohol-related traffic deaths are more likely to occur at lower BACs among 16- to 20-year-olds compared to other age groups. In 2002, 4% of alcohol-related crashes resulted in death, compared to 0.6% of crashes that did not involve alcohol. In 2023, the highest percentage of drunk drivers were in the 21- to 24-year-old age group, and men are more likely to be involved in this type of crash, with four male drunk drivers for every female drunk driver.
Motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes had the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers than any other vehicle type in 2023, with 26% of motorcycle riders killed being drunk. In the same year, 25% of children (14 and younger) killed in motor vehicle crashes were killed in drunk-driving crashes, with more than half of those children being in the vehicle driven by the drunk driver.
The financial impact of impaired-driving crashes is also significant, costing the United States $68.9 billion annually.
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Alcohol-related brain damage
Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing about 178,000 deaths each year. Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) or alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI) is one of the many adverse effects of excessive alcohol consumption. ARBD is a brain disorder caused by regular binge drinking or drinking too much alcohol over several years. It primarily affects people aged between 40 and 50, which is younger than the typical age range for developing common types of dementia.
ARBD can lead to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with small changes in thinking and memory. However, if the person does not stop drinking, they are at risk of progressing to more severe brain damage. The damage caused by ARBD can result in problems with coordination, thinking, planning, and memory. Some individuals may experience symptoms similar to dementia, such as those seen in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which includes struggling with day-to-day tasks due to impaired memory and thinking abilities.
The severity of ARBD can vary, and it is influenced by factors such as age, gender, nutrition, and overall alcohol consumption. Younger individuals have a better chance of recovery, with complete cognitive recovery taking up to 12 months after abstaining from alcohol. However, the effects of ARBD can be permanent for many people, and the damage to the brain can occur gradually over a long period of heavy drinking or even rapidly over a short period of excessive drinking combined with poor diet.
Treatment for ARBD involves addressing both the alcohol addiction and the cognitive symptoms. Good nutrition is crucial, and doctors may prescribe multivitamins, especially thiamine (vitamin B1), to reduce the risk of further brain injury. Support from family and professionals is essential to help individuals with ARBD manage their daily routines and guide them toward recovery.
It is important to note that alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for various types of cancer, including cancers of the oral cavity, throat, voice box, oesophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and breast. Alcohol-related cancer deaths have been increasing, especially in men aged 55 and older. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the harmful effects of alcohol on the brain and overall health.
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Frequently asked questions
About 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year in the United States.
Alcohol-related cancer deaths have doubled in the United States over the last three decades, rising from under 12,000 a year in 1990 to over 23,000 a year in 2021.
About 117,000 alcohol-related deaths per year are from chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol use disorder. The remaining 61,000 deaths are from binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion, including motor vehicle crashes, alcohol-involved drug overdoses, alcohol poisonings, and suicides.
Alcohol is a known human carcinogen, increasing the risk of cancers of the oral cavity, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum, and breast. It can also elevate estrogen levels, increasing the risk of breast cancer.
Yes, excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death. Policies that encourage people to drink less can help prevent these deaths.
