According to recent data, around 28.9 million Americans aged 12 or older (about 10.2% of this age group) had an alcohol use disorder in the past year. Depending on the severity of the addiction, individuals may benefit from inpatient or outpatient treatment programs. Inpatient programs provide 24/7 care in a controlled environment, while outpatient programs allow individuals to continue their daily lives while attending therapy sessions. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET), are effective in treating alcohol addiction.
- Early and frequent use of alcohol may affect brain development, mental health, and a teen’s judgment.
- By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.
Are you interested in attending a faith-based program that follows the 12 Steps? alcoholism statistics There’s no right or wrong way to approach treatment, but it’s important to find a center that can meet your unique needs. Our advisory council brings together leaders in behavioral health, technology, and business. Their diverse expertise ensures our resources and product are innovative, evidence-based, and effective.
Prevalence of Past-Month Heavy Alcohol Use
Among adults aged 18 and older, the prevalence of AUD was 11.2%, indicating the impact of alcohol misuse in the adult population. We publish material that is Alcohol Use Disorder researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Alcohol Addiction Often Co-Occurs With Other Mental Health Disorders
Lastly, people who start drinking earlier in life have a higher risk of using alcohol excessively or developing alcohol use disorder later in life. Adult children of alcoholics tend not to expect recognition of important life milestones. They learn to bury their feelings and struggle to express themselves in healthy ways. Whether a child’s parent is receiving addiction treatment for alcohol addiction or not, it’s important to offer a safe space for the child. California sees the nation’s highest number of alcohol-related deaths but has a low rate of underage drinking.
Resources and support for alcohol addiction
Alcohol addiction is a widespread issue affecting millions of people globally, with significant consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Exploring the magnitude of alcoholism through statistics reveals its serious impact on physical health, mental well-being, and societal costs. Key data highlight the scale of alcohol addiction and the long-term risks it poses. Alcoholism affects millions worldwide, but how much do you really know about it? Alcoholism isn’t just about drinking too much; it’s a complex disease with many layers.
In 2023, 7% of youths reported having consumed alcohol in the past month, while about 60% of young adults aged reported similar drinking behaviors. The binge drinking rate in this age group was particularly troubling, with 60% engaging in such practices, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Alcohol misuse has far-reaching personal, social, and economic consequences, yet the data also show that effective solutions exist. Learn about the effects of alcohol on young people and how to recognize signs of alcohol abuse. This will help you better understand the risks of underage drinking and how to prevent it.
Recent studies show a link between binge drinking and alcohol addiction.18 We still need more information about how they relate. It could be true that binge drinking raises your risk of developing an addiction in the future. On the other hand, some say that binge drinking itself is a sign of addiction.
- Recognizing the warning signs of alcohol abuse and then receiving proper treatment can have a significant impact on the recovery process.
- Young adults are more prone to relapse, partly due to peer influence and ongoing high-risk situations.
- Find up-to-date statistics on lifetime drinking, past-year drinking, past-month drinking, binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, and high-intensity drinking.
- Certain risk factors — like clinical depression — make relapse more likely.
- Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one.
Learn how many people ages 12 to 20 engage in underage alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. Find up-to-date statistics on lifetime drinking, past-year drinking, past-month drinking, binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, and high-intensity drinking. Alcohol as an intoxicant affects a wide range of structures and processes in the central nervous system and increases the risk for intentional and unintentional injuries and adverse social consequences. Alcohol has considerable toxic effects on the digestive and cardiovascular systems. Alcoholic beverages are classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and increase the risk of several cancer types. Alcohol as an immunosuppressant increases the risk of communicable diseases, including tuberculosis and HIV.
These therapies help individuals understand their triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and build motivation to stay sober. Adfam is a UK charity that supports families affected by alcohol, drugs, and gambling. They offer resources, advocacy, and support groups to help families cope with the challenges of addiction and work towards recovery. Drinkaware provides information, advice, and resources for people looking to manage their drinking habits or seeking help for alcohol-related problems.
This figure is magnified by the countless number of others who are affected by parents who are impaired by other psychoactive drugs. Young people are more likely to drink if at least one parent or guardian in their family has a history of alcohol use or alcoholism. If parents don’t teach their children about the negative effects of alcohol, they’re also more likely to drink underage. Underage drinking is also linked to relationship problems because alcohol abuse affects entire families. For instance, drinking can cause arguments between parents and children, leading to strained family relationships.