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Alcoholism Statistics
Drinking and Driving Statistics
Statistics on Alcoholism
Statistics of Alcoholism



Statistics on Alcoholism
Keeping a tab on the costs, human and financial, of alcohol.





Alcoholism statistics provide an insight into the costs and damage of alcoholism.

If you want to learn about alcoholism there is nothing like some real numbers to demonstrate the severity of the problem and how it actually affects its victims and the whole of society.

Below you will find statistics on alcoholism and its impact on society.



Alcoholism Statistics
The Problem

The following numbers are taken from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

  • Almost half of Americans aged 12 or older reported being current drinkers of alcohol in the 2001 survey (48.3 percent). This translates to an estimated 109 million people.
  • Approximately 14 million Americans or 7.4 percent of the population - meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
  • More than one-half of American adults have a close family member who has or has had alcoholism.
  • Approximately one in four children younger than 18 years old in the United States is exposed to alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence while living within an alcoholic family.
  • Heavy drinking was reported by 5.7 percent of the population aged 12 or older, or 12.9 million people.

alcoholism-statistics


Statistics of Alcoholism
The Leading Abused Substance

In 2006 there were nearly 1.8 million admissions for treatment of alcohol and drug abuse to facilities that report to State administrative data systems. Most admissions (40 percent) were for alcohol treatment.

Percentage of AdmissionsSubstance or Drug
21.9Alcohol
17.8Alcohol + another drug
16.1Marijuana
13.7Heroin
9.9Smoked cocaine (crack)
8.7Stimulants
4.2Opiates (not heroin)
4.0Other-than-smoked cocaine(e.g., cocainepowder)
0.4Tranquilizers
0.2PCP
0.2Sedatives
0.1Hallucinogens
0.1Inhalants
0.5Other drugs
2.4None reported


Statistics on Alcoholism
The Cost of Alcohol

Alcoholism statistics on the economic costs to society reveal amazing facts.

First we see the diversified range of costs, from direct treatment and lost employment to victims of alcohol related crimes and the health costs of alcohol abuse.

Second, alcohol dependence and abuse cost the US approximately $220 billion in 2005. For the sake of comparison, this was greater than the amount of money spent to combat cancer ($196 billion) and obesity ($133 billion).

Economic costs to society of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, United States, 1983

Typesof Cost Costs($ millions)
Treatment(for alcohol abuse andalcoholism, liver cirrhosis, motor vehicle crashes, etc) 13,457
Healthsupport services 1,549
Mortality18,151
Reducedproductivity 65,582
Lostemployment 5,323
Motorvehicle crashes 2,697
Crime2,631
Socialwelfare administration 49
Other3,673
Victimsof crime194
Incarceration2,979
Motorvehicle crashes590
Total116,875




Alcoholism Statistics
Drinking and Driving Statistics

  • According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - in 2008, 31 percent of car accidents were alcohol related.
  • 64 percent of all car accidents between midnight and 3am were alcohol related.
  • Alcohol-related fatalities are caused primarily by the consumption of beer (80 percent) followed by liquor/wine at 20 percent.
  • The highest intoxication rates in fatal crashes in 2001 were recorded for drivers 21-24 years old (33 percent), followed by ages 25-34 (28 percent) and 35-44 (25 percent).
  • The intoxication rate (those over .08 BAC) for male drivers involved in fatal crashes was 24 percent, compared with 13 percent for female drivers.
  • Traffic crashes, traffic crash fatalities, and alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities, United States

    YearTrafficcrashesTrafficcrash fatalities (a) Alcohol-relatedtraffic crash fatalities (b)Percentof all traffic crash fatalities (b/a)
    200438444428361691939
    200338477428841710539
    200238491430051752440
    200137862421961740041
    200037526419451738041
    199937140417171657239
    199837107415011667340
    199737321420131671139
    199637494420651774842
    199537242418171773242
    199436254407161730842
    199335780401501790844
    199234942392501829046
    199136937415082015948
    199039836445992258750
    198940741455822242349
    198842130470872383350
    198741438463902409351
    198641090460872501754
    198539195438252316652


    Other Alcoholism Statistics:

    • Globally alcohol consumption has increased in recent decades, with all or most of that increase in developing countries.
    • It is estimated that over 3 million teens between the ages of 14 and 17 in the United States today are alcoholics.
    • 62% of high school teenagers report that they have been drunk; 31% say they have had five or more drinks in a row during the last two weeks.
    • Alcohol contributes to 100,000 deaths annually, making it the third leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States after tobacco and diet/activity patterns.
    • Alcoholism prevalence is highest for both sexes in the 18-to-29 age group.
    • A survey of over 450 American alcohol abusers revealed that the vast majority of them did not grow up with a father figure in their households.
    • People who have a good relationship with their spouses have an 8.9% probability of developing alcoholism over the course of their lifetime. Contrarily, 29.2% of adults who are living with a partner and have never married are likely to become alcoholics.
    • One out of every five alcoholics who attempt to stop drinking without medical intervention end up dying as a result of alcoholic withdrawal delirium.
    • People who live with an alcoholic take ten times the amount of sick leave than individuals who are not exposed to alcoholism.
    • A staggering half-a-million US children aged nine to 12 are addicted to alcohol.


    If you or someone close to you wants help and advice on quitting drinking then take a look at the following pages:


    Return from Alcoholism Statistics to Alcohol Abuse Effects

    Return from Alcoholism Statistics to Alcoholism Help Homepage


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Deborah Morrow, M.S. Addiction Psychology, is the director of treatment programs for The Alcoholism Guide website. In her practice Deborah provides on-line coaching and support for those dependent on alcohol or who require other services such as relapse prevention or court mandated services. (Read More)




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