Mason Delacroix
Alcohol consumption is a significant public health issue, with around 2.6 million deaths attributed to it worldwide in 2019. Alcohol plays a causal role in over 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions, including liver disease, heart disease, and various types of cancer. Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death, particularly in the United States, where it claims approximately 140,000 lives annually. Alcohol misuse during adolescence can interfere with brain development and increase the risk of alcohol use disorder in adulthood. Furthermore, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, the largest known cause of intellectual disability in children. While moderate alcohol consumption is generally recommended for adults, even low levels of alcohol consumption can pose health risks, and there is no safe amount that does not affect health. Raising awareness about the dangers of alcohol misuse and excessive drinking is crucial to mitigating these adverse effects on individuals, families, and communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol-related deaths | 2.6 million people worldwide in 2019 |
| Alcohol-attributable mortality | 2 million men, 600,000 women in 2019 |
| Alcohol use disorder | 400 million people aged 15+ |
| Alcohol dependence | 209 million people |
| Alcohol-attributable deaths per 100,000 people | Decreased by 20.2% globally from 2010 to 2019 |
| Countries with national alcohol policies | Steady increase |
| Countries with alcohol excise taxes | Almost all countries |
| Countries with national guidelines/standards for specialized treatment services for alcohol use disorders | 54% |
| Countries with legal regulations to protect the confidentiality of people in treatment | 46% |
| Alcohol-related cancers | Bowel, breast, and more |
| Alcohol-related health issues | High blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, digestive problems, weaker immune system, mental health conditions, learning problems, memory problems, relationship problems |
| Alcohol-related injuries | Motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, burns |
| Alcohol-related violence | Homicide, suicide, sexual violence, intimate partner violence |
| Alcohol-related social issues | Sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy |
| Safe level of alcohol consumption | None, according to WHO |
| Gender differences in alcohol consumption and mortality | 52% of men, 35% of women in 2019 |
| Global alcohol action plan | 2022-2030 |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance
- Alcohol use disorders and alcohol dependence are prevalent globally
- Alcohol-related health risks: cancers, heart disease, liver disease, and more
- Excessive drinking: binge drinking, heavy drinking, and drinking during pregnancy
- Alcohol control interventions and policies to reduce harm
Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance
The toxicity of alcohol is related to the quantity and duration of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is the second most consumed psychoactive drug globally, behind caffeine. Drinking alcohol is generally socially acceptable and is legal in most countries, unlike many other recreational substances. Alcohol has been consumed by humans for its psychoactive effects for thousands of years, and it continues to play an important social role in much of the world. Drinking establishments, such as bars and nightclubs, revolve primarily around the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, and social gatherings commonly involve alcohol consumption.
However, alcohol's toxic and dependence-producing properties can lead to harmful effects on health and well-being. Alcohol use is directly related to considerable morbidity and mortality, for instance, due to intoxication, alcohol-related health problems, injuries, violence, and alcohol poisoning. Alcohol also has reinforcement-related adverse effects, including alcoholism, dependence, and withdrawal. The GABA-glutamate imbalance caused by chronic alcohol intake can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, craving, seizures, and hallucinations. In severe cases, withdrawal can even be life-threatening and requires urgent medical treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can bring health risks, and the risk of developing cancer increases substantially the more alcohol is consumed. Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, the highest-risk group, and can cause at least seven types of cancer, including common types such as bowel and breast cancer. Despite this, the question of the beneficial effects of light or moderate drinking has been a contentious issue in research for years.
The harmful use of alcohol is a global issue, with 2.6 million deaths attributable to alcohol consumption in 2019. The WHO and its partners have launched initiatives such as the SAFER initiative and the Global alcohol action plan 2022-2030 to support countries in implementing effective interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm.
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Alcohol use disorders and alcohol dependence are prevalent globally
Alcohol consumption can have immediate and long-term health risks. Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking during pregnancy or by people under the age of 21. Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance. It is a Group 1 carcinogen, which is the highest-risk group, including asbestos, radiation, and tobacco. It causes at least seven types of cancer, including bowel and breast cancer. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can bring health risks, but most alcohol-related harm comes from heavy episodic or continuous drinking.
In 2019, around 2.6 million deaths were caused by alcohol consumption worldwide. Of these, 1.6 million were from noncommunicable diseases, 700,000 from injuries, and 300,000 from communicable diseases. Alcohol use was responsible for 6.7% of all deaths among men and 2.4% of all deaths among women. An estimated 400 million people aged 15 and older live with alcohol use disorders, and 209 million live with alcohol dependence. This accounts for 7% of the world's population aged 15 and older.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a complex medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It is influenced by genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors. AUD is treatable, and effective treatment involves a combination of medical interventions, behavioural therapies, and robust support systems tailored to the individual's specific needs. Several medications are approved for AUD treatment, such as Naltrexone, which reduces cravings and the pleasurable effects of drinking.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiatives and action plans to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, such as the SAFER initiative and the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030. These plans aim to implement cost-effective interventions and strategies at national, regional, and global levels to address the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.
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Alcohol-related health risks: cancers, heart disease, liver disease, and more
Excessive alcohol consumption can have immediate and long-term health risks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption when it comes to health. Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance. It has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, which is the highest-risk group, including asbestos, radiation, and tobacco.
Alcohol consumption can lead to various health risks, including cancers, heart disease, liver disease, digestive problems, and a weaker immune system. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can bring health risks, but most alcohol-related harms come from heavy episodic or continuous drinking. The more alcohol is consumed, the higher the risk of developing cancer. Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer, including common types such as bowel cancer and female breast cancer. It is also linked to a higher risk of cancers of the colon and rectum and liver cancer. Drinking small amounts of alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer in women, as alcohol can raise estrogen levels in the body.
Excessive drinking can also lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. It can cause digestive problems, such as inflammation (hepatitis) and heavy scarring (cirrhosis) in the liver, which can lead to liver failure. Alcohol can damage other organs, such as the pancreas and the brain. It can also lead to mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, learning problems, and memory issues, including dementia.
The harmful effects of alcohol consumption are well documented, and global initiatives such as the WHO's SAFER initiative aim to reduce alcohol-related harm through effective interventions. Public health guidelines recommend drinking in moderation or abstaining from alcohol to lower the risk of alcohol-related health issues.
In conclusion, alcohol consumption is associated with various health risks, including cancers, heart disease, liver disease, and other negative impacts on physical and mental health. The best way to lower these health risks is to drink less or abstain from alcohol altogether.
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Excessive drinking: binge drinking, heavy drinking, and drinking during pregnancy
Excessive drinking is a broad term used to describe binge drinking, heavy drinking, and drinking during pregnancy or by people under the legal drinking age. Excessive alcohol consumption can have immediate and long-term health consequences and can even be deadly. It can also negatively impact not only the drinker but also those around them.
Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as a pattern of drinking that raises one's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. For a typical adult, this corresponds to consuming four or more drinks by women and five or more drinks by men in about two hours. Research shows that young people and adolescents require fewer drinks in the same time frame to reach the same BAC level. Binge drinking increases the risk of acute harm, such as blackouts, overdoses, unsafe sexual behaviour, and sexually transmitted infections. It also increases the likelihood of potentially fatal consequences, including falls, burns, drownings, and car crashes. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 21.7% of people in the United States ages 12 and older reported binge drinking in the past month. While rates of binge drinking among young adults are decreasing, they remain high, with 28.7% reported in 2023. Binge drinking among older adults is also a concern due to potential interactions with medications and increased susceptibility to alcohol-related injuries.
Heavy Drinking
Heavy drinking is defined as consuming eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men. While the immediate risks of heavy drinking may not be as pronounced as those of binge drinking, heavy drinking over time can lead to similar health consequences, including liver disease, digestive problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, and an increased risk of several types of cancer.
Drinking During Pregnancy
Any alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby. Alcohol passes through the placenta and can seriously affect the baby's development, increasing the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The risk to the baby is likely greater with higher consumption. Women who find out they are pregnant after drinking in early pregnancy should avoid further alcohol consumption for the rest of their pregnancy. However, the risks to the baby are likely to be low, and most women give up alcohol once they know they are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
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Alcohol control interventions and policies to reduce harm
Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance. Excessive alcohol consumption can have immediate and long-term health risks, including liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, and memory problems. Worldwide, around 2.6 million deaths were caused by alcohol consumption in 2019, with alcohol use responsible for 6.7% of all deaths among men and 2.4% of all deaths among women in 2019.
To reduce alcohol-related harm, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the SAFER initiative in 2018. SAFER is an acronym for the five most cost-effective interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm. These interventions include:
- Enacting and enforcing restrictions on the commercial or public availability of alcohol through laws, policies, and programs. This includes limiting the number of retailers that sell alcohol and the days and hours when people can buy it.
- Alcohol taxation and pricing policies have been proven to reduce harmful alcohol consumption. An increase in excise taxes on alcoholic beverages can reduce consumption and provide governments with revenue to offset the economic costs of harmful use.
- Screening, brief intervention, and treatment for those with hazardous alcohol use and alcohol use disorders. Clinicians can use screening and brief intervention (SBI) tools to identify adults who drink excessively and offer behavioral counseling to help them reduce their consumption.
- Drink-driving laws and low blood alcohol concentration limits can be enforced through sobriety checkpoints and random breath testing.
- Awareness and community mobilization are important to address the harmful use of alcohol. This includes cancer-related health information messages on alcoholic beverage labels and trained health professionals who can inform patients about the risks associated with alcohol consumption.
In addition to the SAFER initiative, WHO has developed a global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, providing guidance and recommending policy options for implementation at the national level. The Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030, endorsed by WHO Member States, outlines six key areas for action, including high-impact strategies and interventions, advocacy and awareness, and technical support.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing noncommunicable diseases such as liver disease, heart disease, and several types of cancer, including breast, liver, head and neck, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can bring health risks, and the more one drinks, the higher the risk.
Alcohol becomes a problem when it starts to negatively impact your life. Ask yourself if your personal or work life is deteriorating because of your drinking. Alcohol addiction can also be identified by observing if one's drinking habits are causing medical problems or increasing the risk of alcohol-use disorders.
Alcohol misuse during teenage years can interfere with normal adolescent brain development and significantly increases the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life. It is also a significant factor in the deaths of people younger than 21 in the United States.
It is important for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption and take actions to protect themselves from its harmful effects. Campaigns such as "Drink Less, Be Your Best" aim to empower people to drink less. Additionally, increasing the price of cheap alcohol could help reduce excessive alcohol consumption and related harms.
