The True Cost of Heavy Drinking in America
Excessive alcohol use is a widespread problem in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the country. Excessive alcohol use can include binge drinking, heavy drinking, or alcohol use by pregnant women and those under the age of 21.
Binge drinking is defined as “consuming 4 or more drinks on an occasion” for women and “5 or more drinks” for men. Heavy drinking, on the other hand, is considered 8 or more drinks per week for females and 15 or more drinks per week for males.
Here are some shocking facts about the cost of excessive alcohol use according to the CDC:
- Excessive alcohol use results in approximately 140,000 deaths per year.
- It shortens lives by an average of 26 years.
- It is responsible for “1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults.”
- It costs approximately $249 billion.
- It breaks down to $2.05 per drink in economic costs.
The realities of excessive alcohol use are devastating. It is extremely costly both economically and physically. As noted by the CDC, heavy drinking and binge drinking can lead to several adverse health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and cancer.
Individuals who find themselves binge drinking or drinking heavily throughout the week need to consider getting professional treatment. Alcohol treatment can teach you how to cope with triggers and how to deal with your underlying addiction or reliance on alcohol.