A Look at the CDC’s Most Recent Statistics on Alcohol Use
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)releases their findings on disability and risk factors including the prevalence of alcohol use and mortality rates. According to data collected from 2006 to 2019 males had significantly more heavy drinking days than females. In 2018, over 30% of males and just under 20% of females reported having at least 1 heavy drinking day in the past year. Heavy drinking days are defined for men as having five (5) or more drinks in one (1) day and for women as having four (4) or more drinks in one (1) day.
While, according to the survey, men have remained relatively consistent in the percentage of heavy drinkers, the percentage of women who have had at least 1 heavy drinking day in the past year has increased over time. The CDC estimates that 25.1% of adults aged 18 and over have had at least one heavy drinking day in the past year according to the most recent data available.
Heavy alcohol consumption is also known to cause an increase in the rate of mortality. According to figures released by the CDC, there were 22.246 alcoholic liver disease deaths and 35,823 alcohol-induced deaths, excluding accidents and homicides in a single year. The majority of alcohol-induced deaths occurred for people aged 55-64. Men were significantly more likely to die from alcoholic liver disease than women
The statistics are grim. Alcohol has an impact on your overall health and can result in death. It is essential that if you are struggling with alcohol, you seek treatment. Now more than ever it is important to reach out for help.