Myths and Realities of Alcohol
Know The Facts
Key Statistics
- People ages 18 and older who engaged in binge drinking. 25.8%
- Number of adults who report binge drinking. 90%
- Percentage of emergency department visits associated with the misuse of prescription medicines also involved alcohol in 2016. 20%
What are the risks of alcohol use?
Economic Burden
In 2010, alcohol misuse cost the United States $249.0 billion. Three-quarters of the total cost of alcohol misuse is related to binge drinking.
Global Burden
In 2014, the World Health Organization reported that alcohol contributed to more than 200 diseases and injury-related health conditions. In 2012, 5.1% of the burden of disease and injury worldwide was attributable to alcohol consumption.
Family Consquences
More than 10 percent of U.S. children live with a parent with alcohol problems, according to a 2012 study.
Underage Drinking
Research indicates that alcohol use during the teenage years could interfere with normal adolescent brain development and increase the risk of developing AUD. In addition, underage drinking contributes to a range of acute consequences, including injuries, sexual assaults, and even deaths—including those from car crashes.
Alcohol & Pregnancy
The prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in the United States was estimated by the Institute of Medicine in 1996 to be between 0.5 and 3.0 cases per 1,000. More recent reports from specific U.S. sites report the prevalence of FAS to be 2 to 7 cases per 1,000, and the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) to be as high as 20 to 50 cases per 1,000.
Health Effects
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, liver, and breast. In 2015, of the 78,529 liver disease deaths among individuals ages 12 and older, 47.0 percent involved alcohol. Among males, 49,695 liver disease deaths occurred and 49.5 percent involved alcohol. Among females, 28,834 liver disease deaths occurred and 43.5 percent involved alcohol.
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov