Alcohol related deaths are the third-leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. An estimated 95,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually. Included in this outrageous number is about 10,000 deaths that were from alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. The impact of alcohol related deaths is far reaching, not only are lives lost prematurely due to excessive drinking but also families and friends are left behind grieving these losses. Despite these growing concerns, many individuals continue to engage in dangerous levels of drinking. To put this into perspective, one in 10 deaths among working-age adults are due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Alcohol deaths in the United States are linked to a number of factors, such as binge drinking, underage drinking, and alcohol poisoning.
Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time and is defined as consuming four or more drinks in a sitting for women, and five or more drinks in a sitting for men. This type of heavy drinking can be dangerous and even deadly due to its potential to lead to alcohol poisoning, accidents, violence, and other health issues such as liver damage. Binge drinking can also have long-term consequences on social, economic, and mental health. Binge drinking is more common among young adults ages 18-24 and can be especially dangerous for this demographic due to the potential effects on developing brains.
To reduce the risk of harm from binge drinking, it’s important to drink in moderation, stay within recommended limits and avoid becoming intoxicated. If you are going to drink, be sure to have a designated driver and never drive while under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, it’s important to keep track of how much alcohol you are consuming and seek help if your drinking is becoming excessive or out of control. By taking the necessary precautions and understanding the risks of binge drinking, individuals can reduce their risk of harm from excessive alcohol consumption.
Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person has consumed such large amounts of alcohol that his/her body can no longer process it. In severe cases, consuming high levels of alcohol can lead to dangerous health problems, coma and even death. Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, and low body temperature.
It is important to be aware of the risks associated with binge drinking or “drinking games” that involve rapid consumption of large amounts of alcohol. The dangers associated with these behaviors can include increased risk of alcohol poisoning and long-term health problems such as liver damage. To reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning, it is important to drink in moderation and avoid drinking to excess. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning so that you can intervene quickly if needed.
If someone has shown signs of alcohol poisoning never leave them alone, this could lead to dangerous medical complications or even death. If the person is conscious, try to keep them sitting up and awake by talking to them. Additionally, if possible, monitor their breathing and make sure they are not choking on vomit. It is important to seek medical help immediately in cases of alcohol poisoning as it can be life-threatening.
Other Medical Issues
In addition to these risk behaviors, there are multiple other medical issues that increase an individual’s chance of dying from alcohol-related causes. These include chronic liver disease, certain types of cancer, heart disease and stroke, depression and suicide associated with alcohol use, as well as alcohol-related accidents. In addition to those who die from drinking directly, thousands more succumb to injuries or chronic health issues related to long-term alcohol abuse.
Alcohol withdrawal is another consequence of heavy or alcoholic drinking. Alcoholic deaths can result when a person attempts to suddenly cease drinking after prolonged abuse. Other risks of unattended detox are delirium tremors, seizures, elevated blood pressure, unstable moods, and paranoia. If a person has made the decision to quit drinking, they are advised to do it in a detox where there are medical interventions available.
Alcohol abuse can also lead to a variety of social problems including violence and crime, loss of productivity due to absenteeism or reduced ability to work effectively, increased medical costs associated with treating alcoholism and its complications, and a decrease in quality of life for families affected by alcohol abuse.
By addressing and reducing factors associated with alcohol-related deaths, such as binge drinking and underage drinking, public health officials can help reduce the number of alcohol-related fatalities in the United States. Reducing access to alcohol for those under 21, monitoring levels of consumption among adults, and providing support services for individuals struggling with addiction are all important steps that can be taken to decrease the number of people who die from alcohol-related causes each year.
The bottom line is that alcohol-related deaths are preventable. Through acknowledgement of this problem and taking proactive steps towards reducing excessive drinking, we can help save lives and end this growing public health crisis.
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