The most recent statistics for alcohol-related deaths and alcohol abuse in the U.S. paint a very grim picture. With studies showing approximately 1 in 8 people struggling with alcohol, the facts show that those who are struggling have been and continue to be hurt by their addiction. Even those who rarely drink can have too many and get behind the wheel, and those who drink frequently or daily are more likely to risk hurting themselves or others, because of alcohol-related incidents. Many of these incidents cause or eventually cause death, with alcohol being a leading attribute to many deaths across the country.
Recent surveys of 2016 show the excessive dangers of binge drinking. While binge drinking can, of course, lead to any of the perils listed above, 90% of binge drinkers are typically not dependent on alcohol. Binge drinking is considered eight or more drinks at one time and this is separate from the daily drinker; however, it can lead to the same long-term health risks. Furthermore, such drinking habits can lead to the need for a Low Cost Interlock device and other measures to control alcohol consumption.
The consequences of alcohol abuse, however, go far beyond the relatively mild inconveniences of fines and enforced cutting back on consumption. Approximately 88,000 deaths are caused by alcohol each year; for working-age adults, this number is about 1 in 10 deaths. Alcohol-related deaths also are responsible for taking an average of 30 years off of a lifespan. Deaths can be attributed to alcohol for numerous reasons beyond driving under the influence. Alcoholism and drinking of any kind can, over time, lead to chronic conditions that can ruin a life or end in death, such as strokes, heart attacks, and high blood pressure. Alcohol can also lead to different behavioral attributes in a person, such as violence or sexual risk, which can lead to injuries or sexually transmitted diseases.
Some of the most common or obvious dangers of drinking – whether it is long-term daily drinking or binge drinking – are through fetal alcohol-related disorders, the effects of alcohol on the liver and other organs, and its role in motor vehicle crashes. Every student once old enough is taught the dangers of alcohol, and the lessons are most frequently not to drive when drinking, avoid abusing alcohol, and not to drink while pregnant.
Still, recent studies show that approximately 1-3 infants out of every 1000 live births suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and birth defects are much more common at about 33% of pregnancies where the mother drank as opposed to only 9% where she did not. Further, alcohol still contributes to 29% of traffic-related deaths, leaving roughly 28 people dead due to an alcohol-related motor vehicle incident per day.
Even with preventative measures being taken such as Alcoholics Anonymous, alcohol abuse is still a massive issue in our country. Programs to help people travel sober, such as carpooling services or driver service apps, have stopped many from getting behind the wheel of a car after having a few too many. Alcoholism is not only a disease; it is one of the hardest ones to be dealt with. More measures need to be taken all across the country to allow alcoholics and sufferers of alcohol abuse to find and receive the help that they need.
