Lena Savoie
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 been rising over the past two decades, with deaths involving alcohol among people ages 16 and older increasing by 25.5% from 2019 to 2020. Alcohol-related deaths occur from drinking alcohol over several years or drinking too much on one occasion, with liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and various types of cancer being the leading causes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use per year | 178,000 (approximately 120,000 male deaths and 59,000 female deaths) |
| Deaths among people ages 16 and older in 2019 | 78,927 |
| Deaths among people ages 16 and older in 2020 | 99,017 |
| Deaths among people ages 16 and older in 2021 | 108,791 |
| Deaths among people ages 16 and older in 2022 | 105,415 |
| Leading causes of alcohol-attributable deaths due to chronic conditions | Liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancers of various types |
| Number of alcohol-associated liver disease deaths | 436,814 |
| Number of annual alcohol deaths due to cancer in 1990 | 11,896 |
| Number of annual alcohol deaths due to cancer in 2021 | 23,207 |
| Alcohol-associated cancer death rate among men in Washington DC | 10 per 100,000 people |
| Alcohol-associated cancer death rate among men in Texas | 7.5 per 100,000 people |
| Alcohol-associated cancer death rate among men in Hawaii | 7.2 per 100,000 people |
| Alcohol-associated cancer death rate among women in Washington DC | 3.6 per 100,000 people |
| Alcohol-associated cancer death rate among men and women in Utah | Lowest in the nation |
| Alcohol consumption guideline for men | Two servings or fewer per day |
| Alcohol consumption guideline for women | One serving or fewer per day |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related liver disease
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 from an estimated 138,000 in 2016-2017, and the number of alcohol-related deaths has been on the rise over the past two decades. Alcohol-associated liver disease is a major cause of these deaths, with 436,814 recorded between 1990 and 2021. The mortality rate from alcohol-associated liver disease has surged from 6.7 to 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people, with an annual increase higher among women than men.
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a subset of chronic liver diseases, which affect 4.5 million adults aged 18 and older in the US. This equates to 1.8% of the adult population. Chronic liver diseases, including ALD, are the ninth-highest cause of death in the US, with 52,222 deaths in 2023. However, this figure may be an underestimation, as liver-related mortality in the US is often underreported.
Excessive alcohol use can lead to ALD through several mechanisms. Binge drinking is the most common way that people drink alcohol excessively, and this can cause acute liver injury. Regular alcohol consumption over several years can also lead to chronic liver disease, including alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. People with alcohol use disorder are at particularly high risk of developing ALD.
The prevalence of ALD varies across different populations in the US. For example, American Indian or Alaska Native populations face the highest death rates from alcohol-associated liver disease. Youth drinking is also a concern, with recent trends indicating a rise in alcohol-related liver disease among young people.
The increasing number of deaths from alcohol-associated liver disease and alcohol-linked cancer highlights the urgent need for enhanced prevention and treatment strategies. Comprehensive public health interventions, improved addiction treatment access, and targeted interventions for high-risk groups are crucial to addressing this growing public health crisis. Long-term monitoring and research into intervention effectiveness are also essential.
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Alcohol-related cancer
Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, with about 178,000 people dying from excessive drinking each year. Alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise in the US over the past two decades, with recent research showing that deaths from alcohol-linked cancer have doubled, rising from 11,896 in 1990 to 23,207 by 2021. Alcohol use accounts for about 5% of all cancers and 4% of all cancer deaths in the country.
Alcohol use is linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer. Drinking alcohol raises the risk of getting cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, and oesophagus. Long-term alcohol use has also been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer. Regular, heavy alcohol use can damage the liver, leading to inflammation and scarring, which raises the risk of liver cancer. Alcohol use is also associated with a higher risk of colorectal, colon, and rectal cancers.
Drinking alcohol may also increase the risk of prostate cancer. Studies have shown that drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day increases the risk of stomach and pancreatic cancers. Even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer in women, as alcohol can raise estrogen levels in the body, which plays a role in breast cancer development.
The link between alcohol and cancer is due to the effects of alcohol on the body. Alcohol can disrupt cell cycles, increase chronic inflammation, and damage DNA. When DNA is damaged, cells can grow out of control and become cancerous. Alcohol can also increase the absorption of carcinogens from tobacco, making it especially harmful when used together with tobacco products.
The risk of alcohol-related cancer can be lowered by reducing alcohol consumption or abstaining from alcohol altogether. The CDC recommends that adults choose not to drink alcohol or to drink in moderation, with two drinks or fewer in a day for men and one drink or fewer in a day for women.
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Alcohol use disorder
Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Excessive alcohol use claims the lives of about 178,000 people in the country each year. This figure includes deaths from both long-term drinking and binge drinking. Binge drinking, the most common form of excessive alcohol consumption, is defined as consuming four or more drinks within two hours for women and five or more drinks within two hours for men.
The severity of AUD is assessed by healthcare professionals using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). AUD can be mild (two to three criteria), moderate (four to five criteria), or severe (six or more criteria). Treatment options for AUD include behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups, and medications. Three medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help reduce alcohol consumption and prevent relapse are naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), acamprosate, and disulfiram. These medications are non-addictive and can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Risk factors for developing AUD include early drinking onset, with those starting before age 15 being more susceptible. Genetics and family history also play a role, with hereditability accounting for approximately 60%. Mental health conditions and trauma are additional factors, with various psychiatric disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, often co-occurring with AUD.
The number of alcohol-related deaths in the United States has been on the rise. Recent research has revealed an increase in deaths from alcohol-associated liver disease and alcohol-linked cancer. Alcohol-associated liver disease mortality rates have surged from 6.7 to 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people, with higher annual increases among women and concerning trends among young people. Additionally, deaths from alcohol-related cancer have doubled, rising from 11,896 in 1990 to 23,207 by 2021.
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Alcohol poisoning
The symptoms of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, clammy skin, dulled responses (such as no gag reflex), and extremely low body temperature. If someone is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to call for medical help immediately. Do not drive the person to the hospital yourself, and do not give them coffee or drinks containing caffeine as this can dehydrate them. Instead, stay with them and follow the advice of medical professionals.
In the United States, alcohol is one of the leading preventable causes of death, with approximately 178,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year. This includes deaths from both long-term drinking and drinking too much on one occasion. Alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise in the US over the past two decades, with a concerning increase among women and young people. The leading causes of alcohol-attributable deaths are liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers of various types.
To prevent alcohol poisoning, it is important to drink in moderation and be aware of the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Binge drinking and high-intensity drinking increase the risk of alcohol overdose and can lead to serious health complications or even death.
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Cardiovascular disease
Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, with more than 178,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year. Cardiovascular disease is a significant contributor to alcohol-related deaths, and the harmful use of alcohol is the leading risk factor for death among males aged 15 to 59 years, primarily due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Alcohol use increases the risk of various cardiovascular issues, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. It is also associated with a higher risk of stroke, which is a leading cause of death in the United States. While moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, excessive alcohol intake can have detrimental effects.
Research suggests that patients who drank wine had a lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease or stroke than those who abstained from wine. However, those who consumed beer, spirits, or hard alcohol did not show the same risk reduction. It is important to note that other lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, socioeconomic status, and drinking patterns, also play a significant role in cardiovascular health.
Between 1999 and 2019, overall CVD deaths decreased in the United States. However, substance-related CVD fatalities, including those attributed to alcohol, rose during this period. Alcohol-related CVD deaths disproportionately impacted specific ethnic groups, with American Indian or Alaska Native individuals experiencing the highest substance-related CVD death rate at 5.4%.
The harmful use of alcohol not only impacts cardiovascular health but also contributes to liver disease, alcohol use disorder, seizures, poisonings, accidents, violence, and various types of cancer. The annual healthcare and economic costs associated with alcohol exceed $234 billion in the United States alone, highlighting the significant burden of alcohol-related harm.
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Frequently asked questions
Excessive alcohol use leads to approximately 178,000 deaths in the United States annually, with more male deaths than female deaths.
Alcohol-related deaths are caused by drinking over several years or drinking too much on one occasion. Causes of death include alcohol use disorder, alcohol poisoning, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
The rate of alcohol-related deaths in the United States has generally been increasing over time. For example, deaths involving alcohol among people ages 16 and older rose by 25.5% from 2019 to 2020. Additionally, the number of annual alcohol-related cancer deaths doubled from 1990 to 2021.
