Alcohol Abuse: Facts, Statistics, and Treatment
Although highly available in grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and more, alcohol has killed more teenagers than every other drug combined. Today, it’s considered the third leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, accounting for 88,000 fatalities annually. This persistent problem costs the country upwards of $249 billion annually.
Contributing to the development of 200 different health conditions, alcohol consumption plays a role in violent crimes and domestic abuse. No doubt, the use of alcohol has become a global problem that penetrates not only personal lives but also homes and families. Presently, it’s considered a significant threat to the health and safety of individuals around the globe, and alcohol abuse remains a severe global burden.
Fast Facts: Alcohol Abuse in Numbers
- In 2005, 2.5 million of the 3.9 million Americans who received treatment for substance abuse struggled with alcohol abuse
- The US records 1.4 million drunk driving arrests annually
- Alcohol plays a role in 40% of all violent crimes
- 32% of heavy alcohol abusers over the age of 12 were also abusers of other illicit drugs
- Youth who engage in alcohol use are 7.5 times more likely to use various other drugs
- In 2005, 39% of all road accident fatalities included the involvement of alcohol
- An estimated 20% of all college students meet the requirements for alcohol use dependence
- 8% of all liver disease deaths in 2018 were exacerbated or caused by alcohol
- In 2010, alcohol misuse and abuse were the leading causes of premature death and disability across the globe
What Happens When You Use Alcohol?
Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down the system and brings its user a feeling of euphoria, but that’s not all the substance delivers. The drink is known for its ability to give its user a texture similar to a “high,” which many use as an escape from the realities and troubles of everyday life.
Short Terms Effects of Alcohol
- Drowsiness, sleepiness, or loss of consciousness
- Loss of memory
- Loss of coordination and balance
- Poor judgment and decision-making skills
- Blurred or double vision
- Loss of inhibitions
- Talkativeness
- Risky behavior
- Slower motor responses and temporary loss of reflexes
- Short attention span
- Vomiting and nausea
- Headaches and dizziness
Many of those who drink alcohol do so in an attempt to get away from their stresses and anxieties. The short-term effects of drinking can temporarily erase disturbing thoughts, thus making alcohol an easy and accessible escape for those who deal with various issues.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
- Liver disease
- Nerve damage
- Stroke
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Impotence
- Vitamin B1 deficiency
- Malnutrition
- Gastritis
- Cancers
- Permanent brain damage
- Increased risk of injuries and accidents
- Poor family relationships
- Increased likelihood of domestic violence
- Increased tendency to commit crimes