Theo Nash
Alcohol misuse is a serious issue that has claimed and continues to claim countless lives each year. Excessive drinking causes more than 95,000 deaths in the United States annually, with heart disease, liver failure, cancer, alcohol poisoning, and drunk driving being some of the leading causes. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem, with nearly 500 alcohol-related deaths per day recorded during this period, highlighting the urgent need to address this public health crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people who died from alcohol in the US between 1999 and 2017 | 1 million |
| Alcohol-related death rate in the US since 1999 | Doubled among people aged 16+ |
| Number of people who died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2016 | 10,497 |
| Percentage of all traffic-related deaths that drunk driving accidents accounted for in 2016 | 28% |
| Number of deaths caused by excessive drinking in the US annually | 95,000+ |
| Number of years lost prematurely due to excessive alcohol use in 2024 | 4 million |
| Average number of years lost by people who died due to excessive alcohol use in 2024 | 23 years |
| Number of Americans who died from alcohol-related causes during the pandemic | 178,000 |
| Average number of deaths due to alcohol per day in 2021 | 488 |
| Number of years lost to alcohol-related crashes among people aged 20-34 | 261,000 |
| Number of years lost to alcoholic liver disease among people aged 35-49 | 137,849 |
| Projected number of deaths over 20 years due to heavy drinking during the pandemic | 7,153 (best-case scenario); 25,192 (worst-case scenario) |
| Projected number of deaths by 2035 if drinking does not return to pre-pandemic levels | 9,914 |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related deaths have doubled since 1999
Alcohol misuse is a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive drinking causes over 95,000 deaths in the country annually. The CDC also reported that from 2020 to 2021, 178,000 Americans died from alcohol-related causes, the highest number since 1999 and equivalent to nearly 500 deaths per day. This figure marks a 29% increase from before the pandemic, highlighting the impact of heightened anxiety and stress during the pandemic on alcohol consumption and related deaths.
Alcohol-related death rates in the United States have doubled since 1999 among individuals aged 16 and older. From 1999 to 2017, there were one million alcohol-related deaths. The rise in alcohol-related deaths can be attributed to various factors, including the link between alcohol and depression, with increasing rates of depression due to social media and other factors. Additionally, the risk of mortality increases with drinking frequency, and heavy drinkers are at the highest risk of alcohol-related death.
The leading causes of alcohol-related deaths are often longer-term diseases. Alcohol misuse can lead to high blood pressure and health conditions that cause strokes and heart disease over time. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, with alcohol contributing to between 3.2% and 3.7% of all cancer deaths in the country each year. Alcohol-related liver disease is also a significant cause of death, especially in individuals aged 35 to 49.
The pandemic has exacerbated alcohol harm, with deaths reaching record levels. Researchers have warned that heavy drinking during the pandemic could lead to thousands of additional deaths in the coming years. The increase in alcohol consumption during lockdowns and the rise of alcohol delivery services have contributed to the growing number of alcohol-related deaths.
Alcohol-related deaths have been a significant issue, with rates generally increasing over time. From the 1980s to the 1990s, the death rate remained around 2.5 per 100,000 people, but by 2021, it had risen to about 3.9 per 100,000 people. This rise reflects the increasing number of people experiencing serious health problems or accidents linked to alcohol.
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Binge drinking during the pandemic
Binge drinking is the first sign of alcohol use disorder, although it does not always indicate that a person has the disorder. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), binge drinking affects about one in six Americans. The CDC defines binge drinking as consuming more than five drinks on an occasion for men and four or more drinks for women.
Binge drinking increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 60% of Americans increasing their alcohol consumption during lockdowns, and 46% reporting increased stress as a reason for their heightened drinking. A study by Harvard Gazette found that binge drinking increased by 21% during the pandemic. This increase is linked to the daily disruptions caused by the pandemic, as well as the rise of alcohol delivery services. The spike in binge drinking during the pandemic has continued, with alcoholism still growing in its wake.
The consequences of binge drinking can be dire. Excessive drinking led to about 4 million years of life lost prematurely in 2024, with those who died from alcohol use losing about 23 years of their lives on average. Alcohol misuse can lead to high blood pressure and other health conditions that cause strokes and heart disease over time. Heavy drinking can also increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Alcohol consumption causes between 3.2% and 3.7% of all cancer deaths in the United States annually.
The pandemic has exacerbated the problem of binge drinking, and it is crucial to address this issue to prevent further harm to individuals and society.
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Alcohol poisoning
Alcohol misuse and addiction have been rising concerns since the pandemic. During the first year of the pandemic, nearly 500 people died per day from alcohol in the United States, with a total of 178,000 deaths. This number has been increasing since 1999, with one million alcohol-related deaths between 1999 and 2017.
The symptoms of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, slow heart rate, and extremely low body temperature. Alcohol poisoning can cause serious complications, such as liver and heart failure, which can lead to permanent brain damage or even death. If someone is displaying symptoms of alcohol poisoning, they should be taken to the hospital for monitoring and treatment. It is important not to drive them to the hospital, as there is a risk of choking on vomit or stopping breathing. Instead, call for emergency medical assistance and follow their advice.
To prevent alcohol poisoning, it is crucial to drink in moderation and avoid binge drinking. Additionally, avoid mixing alcohol with other substances, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, as this can increase the risk of an overdose. It is also important to be aware of the amount of alcohol consumed in a short period, as drinking too much, too quickly can lead to alcohol poisoning.
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Alcohol-impaired driving crashes
Alcohol misuse is a leading cause of death in the United States, with excessive drinking causing more than 95,000 deaths annually. In 2024, excessive alcohol use led to about 4 million years of life lost prematurely. On average, those who died from excessive drinking lost about 23 years of their lives.
Alcohol significantly impairs a person's ability to drive safely. As a person's BAC increases, their risk of crashing also increases exponentially. Drivers with a BAC of 0.08 are approximately four times more likely to crash than drivers who are sober, and this risk increases with higher BAC levels. Young males are particularly at risk, with four male drunk drivers for every female drunk driver. In 2023, 25% of children (aged 14 and younger) killed in motor vehicle crashes were in drunk-driving crashes, and more than half of the time (52%), the child was in the vehicle driven by the drunk driver. Motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes also have a high percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers, with 26% of motorcycle riders killed in 2023 having a BAC of 0.08 g/dL or higher.
The financial impact of impaired driving crashes is also significant. Based on 2019 numbers, impaired-driving crashes cost the United States $68.9 billion annually. Additionally, repeat offenders who drink and drive are a deadly problem. Drivers with BACs of 0.08 g/dL or higher involved in fatal crashes are six times more likely to have prior convictions for driving while impaired compared to drivers who were not impaired.
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Alcohol-related cancer deaths
Alcohol misuse is a leading cause of death in the United States, with excessive drinking causing more than 95,000 deaths annually. During the height of the pandemic, alcohol killed 178,000 Americans, which equates to nearly 500 deaths per day. This jump has been linked to heightened anxiety caused by the coronavirus.
Alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer. In the United States, alcohol consumption caused about 5% of the 1.8 million cancer cases diagnosed in 2019, and about 4% of the 600,000 cancer deaths that year. This equates to nearly 25,000 cancer deaths.
Recent research has found that 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 more than 23,000 a year in 2021. This increase has been attributed to the rise in alcohol consumption during the pandemic, as well as the growing stress in daily lives caused by soaring food and housing prices and rising political tensions.
The risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer varies depending on the amount of alcohol consumed and individual genetic factors. For women, the risk increases from 17 per 100 for those who have less than one drink per week to 22 per 100 for those who have two drinks per day. For men, the risk increases from 10 per 100 for those who have less than one drink per week to 13 per 100 for those who have two drinks per day.
The seven alcohol-related cancers with the highest death rates are liver, colorectal, esophageal, breast, throat, voice box, and mouth cancers. Liver cancer was the most common cause of death in men, while breast cancer was the most common in women.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive drinking causes more than 95,000 deaths in the United States annually. During the height of the pandemic, alcohol killed 178,000 Americans, which equates to nearly 500 deaths per day.
The leading causes of alcohol-related deaths are typically related to long-term diseases. Alcohol misuse can lead to high blood pressure and other health conditions that cause strokes and heart disease over time. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with someone dying from it every 36 seconds. Alcohol consumption also causes between 3.2% to 3.7% of all cancer deaths in the US each year.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on alcohol-related deaths. Substance misuse and addiction increased during this time, with 60% of Americans reporting increased alcohol consumption during lockdowns. As a result, there was a spike in binge drinking, which has continued beyond the initial lockdown period. Experts attribute this jump to heightened anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic and related factors such as rising food and housing prices and political tensions.
