Alcohol Use Disorder & Health Impact

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common but serious medical condition that affects millions of people in the United States. It can have wide-ranging effects on physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

Alcohol Use Disorder by the Numbers

• Nearly 28 million adults in the U.S. had alcohol use disorder in the past year.¹

• More than 750,000 adolescents (ages 12–17) also meet the criteria for AUD.¹

• Despite its prevalence, fewer than 10% of people with AUD receive treatment.¹

• Alcohol use disorder is the most prevalent type of substance use disorder, affecting more than half of individuals with SUD—approximately 27.9 million of the 48.4 million people aged 12 and older in the United States.¹

Alcohol and Mortality

• Alcohol-related causes are responsible for over 178,000 deaths each year in the U.S., making it a leading preventable cause of death.² That’s 488 deaths per day in the U.S. due to excessive alcohol use.

• Globally, alcohol contributes to more than 3 million deaths annually, accounting for about 5% of all deaths worldwide.⁴

Impact on Physical Health

Alcohol affects nearly every organ system in the body:

• Liver disease: Heavy drinking is a leading cause of fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.²

• Cardiovascular issues: Alcohol use can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.³

• Cancer risk: Alcohol is linked to at least 7 types of cancer, including breast, liver, and colorectal cancer.³

• Breast cancer: Research has shown an important association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer—even one drink per day can increase a woman's risk for breast cancer by 5% to 15% compared to women who do not drink at all.

• Weakened immune system: Chronic alcohol use makes the body more vulnerable to infections.²

• Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (cancer-causing substance), the highest risk category for cancer. Classification as as a Group 1 carcinogen is due to sufficient evidence that it causes cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and liver in people.⁷

Mental Health and Brain Effects

• Alcohol can worsen or contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.²

• Long-term use may lead to cognitive impairment, memory problems, and changes in brain structure.²

• Alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of suicide and self-harm.³  Research shows alcohol can increase the probability of suicidal thoughts and behaviors by up to 65%. Acute alcohol consumption acts as a depressant that increases impulsivity, impairs judgment, and intensifies negative emotions, often leading to a sevenfold higher risk of self-harm.⁶

Social and Community Impact

• Alcohol misuse is linked to motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and violence, including intimate partner violence.³

• It contributes to lost productivity, healthcare costs, and strain on families and communities.³

• The economic cost of excessive alcohol use in the U.S. is estimated at over $249 billion annually.³

Sources

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ). 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Table 5.9A—Alcohol use disorder in past year: among people aged 12 or older; by age group and demographic characteristics, numbers in thousands, 2023 and 2024. [cited 2025 Aug 12]. Available from: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2024-nsduh-detailed-tables

2. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics 

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alcohol and Public Health.

4. World Health Organization (WHO). Global status report on alcohol and health.

5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol’s Effects on Health. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body 

6. Amiri S, Behnezhad S. Alcohol use and risk of suicide: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. J Addict Dis. 2020 Apr-Jun;38(2):200-213. doi: 10.1080/10550887.2020.1736757. Epub 2020 Mar 14. PMID: 32469287. 

7. NCI. Alcohol and Cancer Risk. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet