How Common Is Alcoholism In The United States?

Here we look at the American alcohol culture, groups of people susceptible to alcoholism, a closer look at rates of alcoholism in the U.S., the misplaced idea that alcoholics are bad people, symptoms of alcoholism, and how to get help for alcohol addiction.

Alcohol in America

Like many other substances, our knowledge of alcohol has progressed immensely over the years. Today it’s common knowledge that too much alcohol is bad for a person’s health, both physically and mentally. However, it wasn’t always that way. When America began, alcohol was seen as a digestive aid – Americans consumed an average of 5.8 gallons of alcohol annually in 1790.

Today that number is down to 2.5 gallons a year, according to the World Health Organization. Although less is consumed compared to the 1700s, the toll of drinking alcohol isn’t something to overlook. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, an estimated 95,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, making it the third-leading preventable cause of death in the United States.

So, why is alcohol so prevalent in America? For one, it’s much more socially acceptable than other drugs. Go to virtually any restaurant, and their alcohol offerings are presented front and center. It’s used in almost any social situation, both professionally and personally. Perhaps most overlooked, it’s legal, making people view it as acceptable until of course, it isn’t. This is when addiction comes into play.

Drinking Casually versus Alcoholism

In America, it’s a safe bet to say every type of person, regardless of age or gender, has consumed or been in contact with alcohol at some point. However, there are groups of people who on average consume more than others. Examples of this may include high school or college-aged individuals. Remember, there’s a difference between drinking alcohol sometimes and having a diagnosed Alcohol Use Disorder.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that alcoholism, also referred to as Alcohol Use Disorder, is a disease that affects the body and brain. It’s characterized by a person’s inability to control their drinking, which often leads to problems at work, in relationships, and health.

When comparing casually drinking and Alcoholism, there are signs to look out for. Signs of a problem drinker can include missing work after a night of drinking, getting into arguments when under the influence, or even reckless behavior when consuming alcohol. In comparison, signs of an alcoholic can be the inability to stop drinking after their first drink, the thought of when they can drink again consuming their minds, and physical symptoms when they stop drinking.

Statistics of Alcoholism in America

About 15 million Americans struggle with an Alcohol Use Disorder. In addition, the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reports that Alcohol abuse, Alcoholism, and Alcohol Use Disorder kill over 3 million people each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined excessive alcohol use is responsible for 7.1% of diseases among males and 2.2% among females.

Research has found that the age range most affected by alcohol use disorders is middle-aged adults between the ages of 35 and 64. However, around 400,000 adolescents, ages 12 to 17, also experienced AUD in 2019.

NIAAA also reports that less than 10% of people with AUD receive any type of treatment. This could be due to many reasons, one being shame held from the belief that they are bad people who should just stop drinking.