Alcohol consumption has become normalized in everyday life. While a beer or a glass of wine every once in a while is fine, many people struggle with attaining a level of moderation. Characterized by an impaired ability to limit consumption, alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects millions of Americans each year, leading to devastating and sometimes fatal consequences. This Alcohol Awareness Month, learn the facts about AUD and how it impairs the body.
AUD by the Numbers
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported 28.9 million Americans age 12 and older living with AUD — that number includes 757,000 youths ages 12-17. The rate of alcohol-related emergency department visits increased by 47.0% from 2006-2014, an average increase of 210,000 visits per year.
The NIAAA reports more than 178,000 Americans die from excessive alcohol use each year, making AUD one of the leading preventable causes of death behind tobacco use, poor diet and lack of exercise, and drug use. In 2022, 13,524 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents, accounting for 32.0% of all traffic fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control estimates 21.0% of suicide decedents had a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.1%. Furthermore, the NIAAA estimates alcohol contributed to at least 7.1% of ED visits and 17.4% of opioid-related deaths in 2020.
Effects of Alcohol on the Body
Excessive alcohol use can have a serious effect on multiple bodily functions — it doesn’t just affect one organ. The NIAAA reports excessive alcohol use — either consuming too much on one occasion or over an extended period of time — can affect the following parts of the body:
- Brain — Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can also affect the way the brain looks and functions, which can lead to changes in mood, behavior, cognitive ability, and coordination.
- Heart — Over time, alcohol use can lead to cardiovascular issues such as cardiomyopathy (stretching of the heart muscle), arrhythmias, stroke, and high blood pressure.
- Liver — Heavy drinking over time can lead to issues like steatosis (fatty liver), alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
- Pancreas — Excessive alcohol use causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can cause pancreatitis, or an inflammation of the pancreas that causes swelling and pain. This impairs the ability of the pancreas to produce enzymes and hormones to aid in digestion.
- Immune system — Heavy drinkers are more likely to develop diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis than non-drinkers. In fact, heavy drinking on just one occasion can slow the body’s ability to fight infections even up to 24 hours after getting drunk.
- Cancer — According to the NIAAA, the National Cancer Institute reports a “strong scientific consensus” that heavy drinking can cause several types of cancer, including head and neck cancers, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Are you struggling with AUD? Local help is here. Contact your primary care provider at Warner Hospital Family Medicine and learn more about local resources that can help you get sober. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 217-937-5284.
