Alcohol Addiction In The Us

District Of Columbia Alcohol Abuse Statistics

The District of Columbiaâs alcohol-related death rate increases faster than any U.S. stateâs, and the rate of binge drinkers is very high.

• 22.5% of D.C. adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month.
• The median number of drinks per binge is 5.2 the 25% most active drinkers consume a median 6.7 drinks per binge.
• Binge drinking adults in D.C. binge a median 1.5 times monthly the 25% most active drinkers binge 3.4 times per month.
• An average of 392 annual deaths in D.C. are attributable to excessive alcohol use.
• The 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita in D.C. increased by as much as 82.9% from 2015 to 2019.
• D.C. averages one death from excessive alcohol use for every 1,759 people aged 18 and older or 6.95 deaths for every 10,000 adults.
• 67.6% of people who die from excessive alcohol use in D.C. are male.
• 53.3% of excessive alcohol use deaths are from chronic causes, such as Alcohol Use Disorder.
• 82.1% of deaths in D.C. from excessive alcohol use are adults aged 35 years and older.
• 3.32% of people in D.C. who die from excessive alcohol use are under the age of 21.
• The CDC estimates 10,473 years of potential life is lost to excessive alcohol use each year.
• D.C. taxpayers spent $918.4 million as a result of excessive alcohol use in 2010 adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to $1.240 billion or $2.89 per drink in 2022 US$.

How Many People Seek Addiction Treatment

While many people struggle with substance abuse, the vast majority of those who need treatment arent receiving it. And during the pandemic, the demand and need for treatment have increased.

According to some estimates, only 1 in 10 people who have a substance use disorder receives treatment. And this varies by location, age, race, ethnicity, and income level.

What recent data on addiction treatment admissions shows:

• In 2019, about 4.2 millionor 1.5 percent of people in the U.S. received substance use treatment in the past year.
• About 1.27 million Americans are receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction.
• Over 21 million people were identified as needing substance use treatmentmeaning less than one-quarter of those who needed it went on to receive it.
• In a 2020 survey of over 300 treatment facilities, about 52 percent reported a rise in the need for treatment. Yet 65 percent reported having to cancel, reschedule, or turn away people in need.
• Major barriers to seeking treatment include cost, insurance coverage, lacking nearby specialty care, and stigma.

Addiction and substance abuse rates are ever-changing, yet treatment professionals are working tirelessly to help people recover with resources from treatment programs, free rehab centers, and more. Call today to find a drug rehab center near you.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff

Alcohol Abuse & Covid

Economists as well as healthcare and addiction specialists agree the pandemic and quarantines of 2020 had a significant impact on nationwide alcohol consumption. As a result, statistics from this period may be misleading.

• Online liquor sales rose 262% year-over-year in the first 3 weeks of March 2020, coinciding with most state-wide lockdowns.
• Liquor store sales increased 54% YoY during that same time period.
• In April 2020, YoY alcohol sales were up 234%.
• In a Johns Hopkins-University of Maryland-Baltimore survey, 60.1% of participants report drinking more alcohol after March 1, 2020.
• 34.1% report binge drinking at least once 7.0% report extreme binge drinking.
• 45.7% report increased stress as a reason for their increased drinking.
• Other reasons for increased drinking include increased alcohol availability and boredom .
• Also in March, 180 people died in Iran after consuming homemade alcohol due to the rumor that it would protect them from COVID.
• Similar deaths occurred in nations where alcohol is illegal and often includes toxins.

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Alcohol Is One Of The Most Commonly Ingested Substances In America Current Alcohol Use Trends Statistics And Research Can Help Guide Your Own Decisions About Alcohol

Unless otherwise stated, the statistics mentioned below are referenced from data sources created from 20182021.

Alcohol is one of the most commonly ingested substances in the world. Its estimated that 139.7 million Americans currently use alcohol, a number that equals roughly half of the population in 2019. Unfortunately, it is often abused. The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found roughly 16 million Americans were heavy alcohol users, and 14.5 million Americans had an alcohol use disorder. The stress and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have worsened these numbers. In a survey conducted by The Recovery Village in May 2020:

• 88% reported drinking alcohol
• 55% reported an increase in alcohol consumption
• 18% reported a significant increase

Alcohol is one of the most commonly ingested substances in the world. Its estimated that 139.7 million Americans currently use alcohol, a number that equals roughly half of the population in 2019. Unfortunately, it is often abused. The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found roughly 16 million Americans were heavy alcohol users, and 14.5 million Americans had an alcohol use disorder. The stress and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have worsened these numbers. In a survey conducted by The Recovery Village in May 2020:

• 88% reported drinking alcohol
• 55% reported an increase in alcohol consumption
• 18% reported a significant increase

Alcohol Use Disorder In The United States

• People Ages 12 and Older: According to the 2019 NSDUH, 14.5 million people ages 12 and older7 had AUD. This number includes 9.0 million men7 and 5.5 million women7

• Youth Ages 12 to 17: According to the 2019 NSDUH, an estimated 414,000 adolescents ages 12 to 177 had AUD. This number includes 163,000 males7 and 251,000 females7 .

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New Jersey Alcohol Abuse Statistics

New Jersey has the second-lowest number of alcohol-related deaths per capita .

• 14.4% of New Jersey adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month.
• The median number of drinks per binge is 5.2 the 25% most active drinkers consume a median 7.3 drinks per binge.
• The 25% most active drinkers binge 3.5 times per month there is no reliable data regarding the median among all binge-drinking adults in New Jersey.
• An average of 3,008 annual deaths in New Jersey are attributable to excessive alcohol use.
• The 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita in New Jersey increased by as much as 42.8% from 2015 to 2019.
• New Jersey averages one death from excessive alcohol use for every 3,088 people aged 18 and older or 4.14 deaths for every 10,000 adults.
• 34.0% of people who die from excessive alcohol use in New Jersey are male.
• 54.8% of excessive alcohol use deaths are from chronic causes, such as Alcohol Use Disorder.
• 82.6% of deaths in New Jersey from excessive alcohol use are adults aged 35 years and older.
• 2.23% of people in New Jersey who die from excessive alcohol use are under the age of 21.
• The CDC estimates 79,359 years of potential life is lost to excessive alcohol use each year.
• New Jersey taxpayers spent $6.175 billion as a result of excessive alcohol use in 2010 adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to $8.337 billion or $2.30 per drink in 2022 US$.

Hawaii Alcohol Abuse Statistics

The death rate from excessive alcohol use in Hawaii is below average, but alcohol-related death is more prevalent among males than anywhere else in the United States .

• 20.9% of Hawaii adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month.
• The median number of drinks per binge is 5.7 the 25% most active drinkers consume a median 9.2 drinks per binge.
• Binge drinking adults in Hawaii binge a median 1.9 times monthly the 25% most active drinkers binge 4.3 times per month.
• An average of 526 annual deaths in Hawaii are attributable to excessive alcohol use.
• The 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita in Hawaii increased by as much as 48.0% from 2015 to 2019.
• Hawaii averages one death from excessive alcohol use for every 2,767 people aged 18 and older or 4.59 deaths for every 10,000 adults.
• 72.6% of people who die from excessive alcohol use in Hawaii are male.
• 61.2% of excessive alcohol use deaths are from chronic causes, such as Alcohol Use Disorder.
• 87.8% of deaths in Hawaii from excessive alcohol use are adults aged 35 years and older.
• 2.28% of people in Hawaii who die from excessive alcohol use are under the age of 21.
• The CDC estimates 12,193 years of potential life is lost to excessive alcohol use each year.
• Hawaii taxpayers spent $937.4 million as a result of excessive alcohol use in 2010 adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to $1.265 billion or $2.13 per drink in 2022 US$.

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Pennsylvania Alcohol Abuse Statistics

Pennsylvaniaâs alcohol-related deaths are less likely to be due to chronic causes.

• 18.5% of Pennsylvania adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month.
• The median number of drinks per binge is 5.5 the 25% most active drinkers consume a median 7.9 drinks per binge.
• Binge drinking adults in Pennsylvania binge a median 1.8 times monthly the 25% most active drinkers binge 3.9 times per month.
• An average of 5,703 annual deaths in Pennsylvania are attributable to excessive alcohol use.
• The 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita in Pennsylvania increased by as much as 45.4% from 2015 to 2019.
• Pennsylvania averages one death from excessive alcohol use for every 2,280 people aged 18 and older or 5.52 deaths for every 10,000 adults.
• 69.0% of people who die from excessive alcohol use in Pennsylvania are male.
• 52.4% of excessive alcohol use deaths are from chronic causes, such as Alcohol Use Disorder.
• 81.7% of deaths in Pennsylvania from excessive alcohol use are adults aged 35 years and older.
• 2.67% of people in Pennsylvania who die from excessive alcohol use are under the age of 21.
• The CDC estimates 149,637 years of potential life is lost to excessive alcohol use each year.
• Pennsylvania taxpayers spent $9.544 billion as a result of excessive alcohol use in 2010 adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to $12.885 billion or $2.59 per drink in 2022 US$.

Unsure Where To Start Take Our Substance Abuse Self

Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. This evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are designed to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Please be aware that this evaluation is not a substitute for advice from a medical doctor.

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How Was Prohibition Enforced

To the dismay of Prohibition advocates, the federal government was not able to adequately enforce the new law. Only 1,500 federal agents, under the newly organized Bureau of Prohibition, were dispatched to enforce the law, which equated to only 30 agents per state. In addition, Canada and Mexico remained wet countries and did not limit the exchange of alcohol near the borders.8

The Bureau of Prohibition tracked bootleggers, focusing on interstate and international cases where local law could not act. However, the bureau lacked the size necessary to enforce the law between Americas vast borders.3

Drug Abuse Among Age Groups

While younger people are more likely to use drugs, the rate of drug use among people over 40 is increasing faster than it is among younger age grups.

• The drug-related death rate for users over 50 increases 3% annually.
• 75% of deaths from drug use disorders among users aged 50 years and older are caused by opioids.
• 6% of drug deaths among 50-plus users are from cocaine and amphetamines, and 13% are from other drugs.
• 35% of college students indicated they use illegal drugs instead of prescription drugs.
• 93% of college students who use illegal drugs use marijuana.
• 37% use cocaine and 36% use hallucinogens.

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Goal: Reduce Misuse Of Drugs And Alcohol

More than 20 million adults and adolescents in the United States have had a substance use disorder in the past year.1 Healthy People 2030 focuses on preventing drug and alcohol misuse and helping people with substance use disorders get the treatment they need.

Substance use disorders can involve illicit drugs, prescription drugs, or alcohol. Opioid use disorders have become especially problematic in recent years. Substance use disorders are linked to many health problems, and overdoses can lead to emergency department visits and deaths.

Effective treatments for substance use disorders are available, but very few people get the treatment they need. Strategies to prevent substance use especially in adolescents and help people get treatment can reduce drug and alcohol misuse, related health problems, and deaths.

Americans Are Too Alcohol Dependent

Its no wonder people want to drown their sorrows. The pandemic has devastated so many families. It created enormous stress and economic uncertainty. It caused widespread fear, anguish and needless political battles. When we thought we were getting a handle on COVID-19, along came the delta variant.

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A nationwide surveycommissioned by the American Psychological Association in February found that nearly 1 in 4 adults reported drinking more this past year to manage their stress.

General alcohol consumption increased 39% from February 2020 to November, according to a new study by the nonprofit research institute RTI International and funded by the NIAAA. Binge drinking increased 30% during the same period.

More than 14 million adults ages 18 and older had alcohol use disorder in 2019, according to the NIAAA.

Maya Richard-Craven:Racism triggers me to drink, but Zoom-bombers won’t let me be Black in AA meetings

Heres our challenge weve normalized drinking. Happy hours at our favorite watering holes, cookouts, weddings, birthday parties, baseball games and tailgating, you name it we find lots of opportunities to enjoy a cold one. Or three. And so often we simply embrace the moment.

Do you use opioids? You have a substance use challenge. Do you drink too much? You like to have a good time.

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Alcohol Statistics In Seniors

• 65% of seniors reported high-risk drinking, where they exceeded daily guidelines at least once a week.
• More than 10% of seniors binge drink.
• Between 2001 and 2013, alcohol use disorder in this age group more than doubled.

Older adults have less tolerance for alcohol as they age. In particular, seniors who mix alcohol and their medications can have more severe reactions than their younger counterparts. In addition, seniors who partake in heavy alcohol use are more likely to experience health problems. Having more than three drinks per day or seven drinks per week for older adults can lead to increased health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, memory issues, mood disorders and heart failure.

Underage Drinking In The United States

• Prevalence of Underage Alcohol Use

• Prevalence of Drinking: According to the 2019 NSDUH, 39.7 percent of 12- to 20-year-olds reported that they have had at least 1 drink in their lives.25 About 7.0 million people ages 12 to 2024 reported drinking alcohol in the past month .

• Prevalence of Binge Drinking: According to the 2019 NSDUH, approximately 4.2 million people ages 12 to 2024 reported binge drinking in the past month. This represents 11.1 percent of people in this age group .

• Prevalence of Heavy Alcohol Use: According to the 2019 NSDUH, approximately 825,000 people ages 12 to 2024 reported heavy alcohol use in the past month. This represents 2.2 percent of this age group25 .

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Dual Addictions And Dependencies

Alcoholics may also require treatment for other psychotropic drug addictions and drug dependencies. The most common dual dependence syndrome with alcohol dependence is benzodiazepine dependence, with studies showing 1020% of alcohol-dependent individuals had problems of dependence and/or misuse problems of benzodiazepine drugs such as diazepam or clonazepam. These drugs are, like alcohol, depressants. Benzodiazepines may be used legally, if they are prescribed by doctors for anxiety problems or other mood disorders, or they may be purchased as illegal drugs. Benzodiazepine use increases cravings for alcohol and the volume of alcohol consumed by problem drinkers. Benzodiazepine dependency requires careful reduction in dosage to avoid benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome and other health consequences. Dependence on other sedative-hypnotics such as zolpidem and zopiclone as well as opiates and illegal drugs is common in alcoholics. Alcohol itself is a sedative-hypnotic and is cross-tolerant with other sedative-hypnotics such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines. Dependence upon and withdrawal from sedative-hypnotics can be medically severe and, as with alcohol withdrawal, there is a risk of psychosis or seizures if not properly managed.

Cessation Of Alcohol Intake

Medical treatment for alcohol detoxification usually involves administration of a benzodiazepine, in order to ameliorate alcohol withdrawal syndrome‘s adverse impact. The addition of phenobarbital improves outcomes if benzodiazepine administration lacks the usually efficacy, and phenobarbital alone might be an effective treatment.Propofol also might enhance treatment for individuals showing limited therapeutic response to a benzodiazepine. Individuals who are only at risk of mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms can be treated as outpatients. Individuals at risk of a severe withdrawal syndrome as well as those who have significant or acute comorbid conditions can be treated as inpatients. Direct treatment can be followed by a treatment program for alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder to attempt to reduce the risk of relapse. Experiences following alcohol withdrawal, such as depressed mood and anxiety, can take weeks or months to abate while other symptoms persist longer due to persisting neuroadaptations.

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