Mason Delacroix
Alcohol addiction, or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is a chronic mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterised by a compulsive need to consume alcohol despite the negative consequences on one's health, career, and relationships. Alcohol addiction can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health, and is a causal factor in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions. Globally, an estimated 400 million people aged 15 and older live with alcohol use disorders, with 209 million suffering from alcohol dependence. In the United States, approximately 20% of adults, or 28.9 million people aged 12 and older, struggle with AUD, yet only about 7% receive treatment. Various factors, such as age, gender, and environmental influences, contribute to the risk of developing an alcohol addiction, and it is crucial to address these determinants to reduce the harm caused by alcohol consumption.
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the US
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a serious issue in the United States, affecting a significant portion of the population. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 28.9 million people aged 12 and older (10.2%) battled AUD in the past year. This includes 16.8 million males (12.1%) and 12 million females (8.3%) in the same age group. The survey also found that 757,000 youths aged 12 to 17 (2.9%) had AUD, with 487,000 being girls (3.8%) and 270,000 being boys (2%).
When considering adults aged 18 and older, the numbers are also concerning. The 2023 NSDUH reported that 28.1 million adults (10.9%) struggled with AUD in the past year, including 16.6 million men (13.2%) and 11.5 million women (8.7%). These figures highlight the widespread nature of AUD in the US across different age groups and genders.
The impact of AUD extends beyond the individuals suffering from the disorder. Approximately 10.5% of US children, or 75 million, live with a parent with AUD, as reported by SAMHSA in 2017. Furthermore, 12.1% of children aged 17 and under live with at least one parent struggling with AUD, and among them, 18.7% reside in single-parent households. Unfortunately, intoxicated adults are responsible for 150 child deaths annually, and the impact of growing up in such an environment can have lasting consequences.
AUD can range from mild to severe, and severe AUD is often referred to as alcoholism or alcohol dependence. Binge drinking is a type of alcohol misuse, defined as drinking so much that the individual's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level reaches 0.08% or more. For men, this typically occurs after consuming five or more drinks within a few hours, while for women, it is four or more drinks. Excessive drinking has severe consequences, and sadly, 3,983 Americans under the age of 21 die from it annually, with 75.1% being male.
The COVID-19 lockdowns also had an impact on alcohol consumption, with over half of Americans increasing their drinking during this period. It is crucial for individuals struggling with AUD to seek help. Healthcare providers can offer evaluations, treatment plans, medications, and referrals to support individuals in their journey towards recovery.
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Alcohol-related deaths
Alcohol is the fifth-leading cause of preventable death in the United States, with about 178,000 deaths from excessive drinking each year. Alcohol-related deaths have surged by 30% in recent years, with about 117,000 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. Another one-third of alcohol-related deaths, or about 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 deaths by suicide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2.6 million deaths per year worldwide were attributable to alcohol consumption, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths. The highest levels of alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 persons are observed in the WHO European and African Regions, with 52.9 deaths and 52.2 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively. Of these deaths, 1.6 million were from noncommunicable diseases, 700,000 were from injuries, and 300,000 were from communicable diseases. The alcohol-attributable mortality rate was higher among men, with 2 million deaths compared to 600,000 deaths among women.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined as an inability to control drinking despite adverse consequences. AUD carries a terrible stigma, which prevents people from seeking treatment. Alcohol can be highly addictive, as it reduces anxiety quickly and efficiently, but the anxiety can return even more powerfully when the alcohol wears off, leading to a toxic downward spiral. AUD medications such as naltrexone (Vivitrol), acamprosate (Campral), and disulfiram (Antabuse) have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective treatments.
In the United States, about 10.2% of Americans aged 12 and older, or 28.9 million people, had an alcohol use disorder in the past year. This includes 16.8 million males and 12.0 million females. Alcohol is easy to access and widely available, and policies in many states have expanded options for carry-out alcohol and home delivery. Alcohol-related deaths can be prevented through proven policies that make it easier for people to choose to drink less, such as raising excise taxes on alcohol purchases.
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Alcohol consumption in teenagers
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 19.9% of youth between 14 and 15 reported having at least one drink in their lifetime. In 2023, 5.6 million young people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported drinking alcohol beyond "just a few sips" in the past month. Adolescent alcohol consumption varies by race and ethnicity. In the past month, about one in 100 adolescents aged 12 to 13 reported drinking alcohol, and about one in 200 engaged in binge drinking. Among respondents aged 16 to 17, fewer than one in five reported drinking, and fewer than one in ten reported binge drinking.
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among American youth and can cause enormous health and safety risks. Drinking alcohol can cause youth to have accidents and get hurt. In 2011, about 188,000 people under the age of 21 visited the emergency room for alcohol-related injuries. Drinking can lead to poor decisions about taking risks, including unsafe sexual behaviour, drinking and driving, and aggressive or violent behaviour. Underage binge drinking is associated with an increased likelihood of being a victim or perpetrator of interpersonal violence.
Young people are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm than adults. As the brain continues to develop into the mid-twenties, drinking alcohol as a teenager can increase the risk of harm to the developing brain. Research shows that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are at a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) later in life. Drinking a lot of alcohol in one sitting in an attempt to get drunk is referred to as binge drinking. Binge drinking can cause young people to make decisions that they may not typically make, such as driving while intoxicated.
Alcohol is widely used by young people for a variety of reasons, including curiosity, experimentation, and the desire to fit in with a group. While it is difficult to prevent teenagers from experimenting with alcohol, parents and caregivers can encourage safer drinking habits. The Australian alcohol guidelines state that the safest option for people under 18 is to abstain from drinking.
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Alcoholism treatment
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 28.9 million Americans aged 12 and older (10.2% of this population) had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the past year. Worldwide, approximately 400 million people, or 7% of the world's population aged 15 and older, live with alcohol use disorders, with 209 million suffering from alcohol dependence. Alcohol consumption is linked to more than 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions, causing around 2.6 million deaths globally in 2019.
Alcoholism, or AUD, is a common medical condition that can be treated through various methods. Treatment for AUD has advanced significantly in recent years, and while there is no one-size-fits-all solution, several effective options are available. Behavioural treatments, led by healthcare providers, aim to change drinking behaviour through counselling and have been supported by beneficial studies. Three medications are currently approved in the United States to aid in reducing drinking and preventing relapse, which can be prescribed by primary care providers and used alongside counselling.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs provide peer support for those looking to quit or reduce their drinking. These programs offer a valuable layer of support when combined with treatment from healthcare professionals. AA has over 120,000 groups in more than 175 countries, with almost 2 million members worldwide.
For those seeking treatment, the first step is often to talk to a primary care provider, who can offer referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organisations. SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free and confidential service that provides 24/7 treatment referral and information to individuals and families facing substance use disorders. This helpline offers assistance in multiple languages and can be accessed by calling, texting, or sending a zip code.
It is important to note that the stigma associated with AUD may prevent people from seeking help. However, AUD is not a choice or character flaw, and it can happen to anyone. Most people with AUD can benefit from treatment, and many can reduce their drinking and related problems.
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Alcohol consumption during COVID-19
Alcohol consumption has been a prevalent issue worldwide, with an estimated 400 million people aged 15 and older living with alcohol use disorders, according to 2019 data. Out of this number, 209 million people are said to live with alcohol dependence. Alcohol consumption is linked to numerous health risks, even at low levels, and is a causal factor in over 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol sales and consumption increased, particularly in the early stages. Various factors influenced this rise, including job losses, income reduction, working from home, and providing home-schooling. Individuals facing these circumstances may have had more opportunities to consume alcohol due to the absence of daily routines like commuting. Additionally, those experiencing psychological distress during the pandemic were more prone to increase their alcohol intake. This trend was observed in studies conducted in Australia and the United States.
The pandemic's impact on mental health also played a role in changing alcohol consumption patterns. Individuals who experienced anxiety, depression, or emotional distress were more likely to increase their alcohol consumption. Conversely, those who maintained stable drinking habits or refrained from drinking altogether tended to exhibit better mental health.
The consequences of increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to be significant. Projections indicate that a one-year rise in alcohol consumption in the United States could lead to 8,000 additional deaths from alcohol-related liver disease, 18,700 cases of liver failure, and 1,000 cases of liver cancer by 2040. Furthermore, a sustained increase in alcohol consumption for more than a year could result in a 19-35% surge in mortality.
It is worth noting that the percentage of people struggling with alcohol use disorders varies across different age groups and demographics. In the United States, for instance, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2023 revealed that 10.2% of Americans aged 12 and older, equivalent to 28.9 million people, had an alcohol use disorder in the past year. This issue affects different racial and ethnic groups within the United States as well.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 10.2% of Americans aged 12 and older had Alcohol Use Disorder in 2023. This equates to 28.9 million people.
An estimated 400 million people, or 7% of the world's population aged 15 years and older, live with alcohol use disorders. Of these, 209 million people (3.7% of the adult world population) live with alcohol dependence.
It is estimated that only 7% of people with alcohol use disorders in the US receive treatment.
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