Theo Nash
Alcohol abuse is a significant global issue, causing around 2.6 million deaths worldwide in 2019, with 1.6 million of those being from noncommunicable diseases. Alcoholic liver disease is the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths, responsible for 19.1% of all such fatalities. In the United States, excessive alcohol use leads to about 178,000 deaths annually, with two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths resulting from chronic conditions such as liver disease, heart disease, and cancer. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on alcohol consumption and related deaths, with rates increasing during this period. Alcohol-related deaths disproportionately affect men, with 69.1% of such fatalities occurring among males.
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What You'll Learn
- Alcoholic liver disease is the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths
- Alcohol poisoning is another leading cause, responsible for 32% of acute alcohol-related deaths
- Alcohol-related road crashes and accidents
- Alcohol-related chronic conditions, including heart disease and cancer
- Alcohol misuse and abuse, including binge drinking
Alcoholic liver disease is the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths
Alcohol misuse is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide. In 2019, around 2.6 million deaths were caused by alcohol consumption, with 1.6 million of these being 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 in 2019.
Alcoholic liver disease is the most frequent underlying cause of alcohol-induced deaths. Alcohol consumption is the leading cause of cirrhosis globally and is responsible for almost 60% of cirrhosis cases in Europe, North America, and Latin America. In 2019, alcohol was responsible for 25% of estimated deaths from alcohol-associated cirrhosis and 19% of liver cancer deaths. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is one of the deadliest yet preventable consequences of excessive alcohol use. It represents 5.1% of the global burden of disease, mainly affecting those aged 15-44 years and leading to an increased mortality risk from traffic injuries, suicide, violence, cardiovascular disease, neoplasms, and liver disease, among other causes.
In the United States, deaths from excessive alcohol use have been increasing, with a 29% increase from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, resulting in approximately 178,000 deaths per year. Alcohol-induced deaths increased by 26% from 2019 to 2020, with a notable increase in deaths from alcoholic liver disease. Similarly, in the UK, alcohol misuse is one of the most common causes of death.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted alcohol-related deaths. During the pandemic, alcohol use increased, and a sharp rise in all-cause mortality due to ALD was observed, with a quarterly rate increase of 11.2% compared to 1.1% before the pandemic. The availability of alcohol, increases in mental health issues, and challenges in accessing healthcare have also contributed to the rise in alcohol-related deaths.
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Alcohol poisoning is another leading cause, responsible for 32% of acute alcohol-related deaths
Alcohol abuse is a significant problem that affects people worldwide, and it is a leading preventable cause of death. Alcohol-related deaths account for at least 5.3% of all deaths globally, with higher estimates of 6%. This figure is even more alarming for younger individuals, as alcohol causes 13.5% of deaths among 20- to 39-year-olds.
Alcoholic liver disease is the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths, responsible for 19.1% of cases. However, alcohol poisoning is another significant cause, accounting for 32% of acute alcohol-related deaths. This is a stark reminder that binge drinking or excessive consumption on a single occasion can have fatal consequences.
The impact of alcohol poisoning on acute alcohol-related deaths is evident, and it is important to understand the factors contributing to this issue. Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person consumes a large quantity of alcohol in a short period, leading to a toxic level of alcohol in the bloodstream. The body struggles to metabolize such high amounts, causing a range of dangerous symptoms, including depressed breathing, slow heart rate, hypothermia, and in severe cases, death.
Certain demographics are more vulnerable to alcohol poisoning. For example, 68% of those who die from alcohol poisoning are White, and Alaska has the highest rate of alcohol poisoning deaths per million people. Additionally, alcohol dependence or alcoholism plays a role in 30% of alcohol poisoning cases, indicating the complex interplay between substance use disorders and acute alcohol-related fatalities.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated quarantine measures also had a notable impact on alcohol consumption and related harm. Online liquor sales surged during the initial lockdown period, and overall, Americans lost over 3.59 million years of potential life due to excessive drinking. The pandemic's influence on mental health and social isolation may have contributed to increased alcohol consumption and, consequently, to alcohol-related deaths.
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Alcohol-related road crashes and accidents
In 2023, there were 12,429 people killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States, with about 30% of all traffic crash fatalities involving drunk drivers. This is a slight decrease from 2022, when 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes, accounting for 32% of all crash fatalities. The risk of crashing is even higher for young males, with almost a third of young drivers killed in crashes involving underage drinking. In 2023, 30% of young drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 who were killed in crashes had BACs of 0.01 or higher.
Motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes also had the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers among all vehicle types, with 26% of motorcycle riders involved in crashes in 2023 found to be drunk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has demonstrated its commitment to eliminating drunk driving through research, public awareness campaigns, and state safety grant programs. To reduce alcohol-related crashes, NHTSA recommends always wearing a seat belt, ensuring guests leave with a sober driver, and reporting impaired drivers to local law enforcement.
The harmful use of alcohol can be reduced through effective policies and interventions guided by public health interests and based on clear goals and evidence. This includes implementing strategies to reduce the availability and accessibility of alcohol and increase its price, as well as addressing the underlying factors that contribute to alcohol-related deaths, such as mental health conditions and challenges in accessing healthcare. By taking concerted action and engaging relevant stakeholders, it is possible to work towards reducing the number of alcohol-related road crashes and accidents.
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Alcohol-related chronic conditions, including heart disease and cancer
Alcohol consumption has been linked to a range of chronic conditions, including heart disease and cancer, which can develop over time. Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death, with about 178,000 people dying from it each year in the United States alone. Globally, around 2.6 million deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption in 2019, with 1.6 million of these being from noncommunicable diseases.
Alcohol-related chronic conditions develop from drinking alcohol over an extended period and include several types of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use has been identified as a causal factor in the development of various cancers, including breast, liver, head and neck, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers. The risk of alcohol-related cancers is influenced by genetic factors, specifically genes encoding enzymes involved in metabolising alcohol. For example, the ADH enzyme converts ethanol into the carcinogenic metabolite acetaldehyde, and individuals with a \"superactive\" form of this enzyme may be at a higher risk of certain cancers. Additionally, alcohol consumption increases the risk of heart disease, with an estimated 474,000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases linked to alcohol consumption in 2019.
The harmful effects of alcohol consumption are not limited to the drinker but also extend to those around them. Alcohol-related chronic conditions can develop from heavy episodic or heavy continuous drinking, and the volume of alcohol consumed and drinking patterns play a significant role in health outcomes. Alcohol availability, increased stress and mental health issues, and challenges in accessing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic have been identified as contributing factors to the rise in alcohol-related deaths.
It is important to note that the impact of alcohol consumption on health is not limited to chronic conditions. Alcohol use can also lead to immediate and long-term effects, including injuries, mental health issues, and social and relationship problems. Additionally, drinking during pregnancy can have severe consequences for the developing fetus, increasing the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
Reducing alcohol consumption is crucial for lowering the risk of alcohol-related harms. Implementing evidence-based policies that reduce alcohol availability, increase prices, and promote drinking less can significantly impact public health and reduce alcohol-related deaths.
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Alcohol misuse and abuse, including binge drinking
Alcohol misuse and abuse are defined as drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to the drinker or those around them. Alcohol misuse includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use and increases the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe, and is considered a brain disorder.
Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter or higher. For a typical adult, this corresponds to consuming five or more drinks (male) or four or more drinks (female) in about two hours. Binge drinking increases the risk of acute harm, such as blackouts and overdoses, and also increases the likelihood of unsafe sexual behaviour and the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintentional pregnancy. The risk of harm typically increases as the amount of alcohol consumed increases. Binge drinking also increases the likelihood of potentially deadly consequences, including falls, burns, drownings, and car crashes. Alcohol affects virtually all tissues in the body, and even one episode of binge drinking can compromise immune system function and lead to acute pancreatitis in individuals with underlying pancreatic damage.
In the United States, about 61.4 million, or 21.7%, of people ages 12 and older reported binge drinking in the past month. While rates of binge drinking among young people are decreasing, they remain high, with 2.0% of 8th graders, 5.4% of 10th graders, and 10.2% of 12th graders reporting binge drinking in 2023. Among college students ages 18 to 22, 46.3% drank alcohol and 27.9% engaged in binge drinking in the past month. Binge drinking among older adults is also a concern, with about 12.0% of adults ages 65 and older reporting binge drinking in the past month. This is particularly worrying as older adults may be taking medications that interact with alcohol and have health conditions that can be made worse by alcohol consumption.
Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. About 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year, with two-thirds of these deaths from chronic conditions that develop from drinking alcohol over time, and one-third from binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion. Alcohol-related deaths include several types of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, alcohol poisoning, motor vehicle crashes, alcohol-involved drug overdoses, and deaths by suicide. Alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV, and drinking during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
To prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm, public policies and interventions should be guided by public health interests and based on clear public health goals and the best available evidence. Individuals struggling with alcohol misuse or abuse can seek help from various resources, including national helplines, treatment referral services, and support groups.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol-related diseases account for at least 5.3% of the world's deaths, with 7.1% of diseases among males and 2.2% among females. Alcoholic liver disease is the leading cause, responsible for 19.1% of all alcohol-related deaths.
Approximately 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year in the United States alone. Worldwide, around 2.6 million deaths were caused by alcohol consumption in 2019.
The main causes of alcohol-related deaths include chronic conditions such as liver disease, heart disease, and cancer, as well as acute causes such as alcohol poisoning, suicide, and car accidents.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on alcohol consumption and related deaths. Policies during the pandemic increased access to alcohol, and many people experienced social isolation and mental health issues, leading to increased drinking.
