13 Surprising Facts About Alcoholism: A Deeper Look

by | Jun 13, 2018 | Uncategorized

Let’s delve into a deeper look at 13 surprising facts about alcoholism and some of the resulting consequences.

Facts About Alcoholism

  1. One of the most surprising facts about alcoholism is the tens of millions of Americans who are experiencing alcohol abuse or dependency. A national survey showed that more than 50% of people over the age of 12 drink alcohol on a regular basis, about 25% reported they binge drink, and 7% admitted to heavy drinking, which translates into about 17 million Americans.
  2. Alcohol-related problems are expensive. In 2010, alcohol misuse costs totaled $249 billion in the US and 75% of these costs were related to binge drinking.
  3. Sadly, alcoholism impacts all members of a family, including children. More than 10% of children live with a parent suffering from alcoholism.
  4. In fact, studies about alcoholism also show how many of us have been touched by loved ones who have a drinking problem. About 53% of adults in the US have one or more close relatives struggling with alcohol abuse issues.
  5. The facts about alcoholism show that there are about 10.8 million underage drinkers in the US. Unfortunately, about 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of alcohol abuse each year.
  6. In 2009, 23.5 million people ages 12 and older needed alcoholism treatment, but only 2.6 million (11.2%) received treatment at a specialized rehabilitation facility.The following two facts about alcoholism show the disconnect between perception and reality:
  7. One in six teenagers binge drink.
  8. Only 1 in 100 parents believe his or her teenager binge drink.
  9. More than 88,000 Americans die from alcohol-associated causes each year, which makes alcohol the #3 leading preventable cause of death in the US.
  10. Facts about alcoholism show that alcoholism is the 5th leading risk factor for premature death and disability around the world.
  11. Liver cirrhosis, a side effect of alcoholism, was the 12th leading cause of death in the US totaling 31,522 people in 2009. For the total of cirrhosis deaths in 2013, almost half were alcohol related. (5)
  12. Liver disease related to alcohol was the leading cause of death for nearly one in three liver transplants in the US.
  13. Another disturbing part of fact about alcoholism is the many resulting driving fatalities. In 2014, alcohol-related driving deaths totaled 9,967.

Share these facts about alcoholism with your children, friends, and family. It’s important to share the reality of the dark side of alcohol.