Social events and celebrations have started becoming regular occurrences as areas of the country come to the tail end of their pandemic measures. With this comes an expected increase in the amount of social drinking done by Americans. While occasional drinking doesn’t tend to have long-term effects, consistent consumption of alcohol can lead to abuse and eventually addiction.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, remember that there’s always help available at a compassionate rehab center. No matter how long drinking has been an issue or how severe it is, you can make the changes necessary to overcome your addiction in 2022. Let’s take a look at the current state of alcohol abuse in the U.S. as we approach the middle of the year.
Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Statistics in the U.S.
The number of Americans who meet the requirements for alcohol abuse is often surprising due to how normalized the practice of drinking in excess has become. The pandemic also led to 60% of Americans increasing their alcohol intake due to the stress of lockdowns. Online alcohol ordering has seen a surge in popularity and availability, enabling alcohol abuse by delivering the substance directly to the individual.
The effects of these changes can be felt throughout the country. There are 261 adult deaths resulting from excessive drinking every year with 80% of the victims being adults aged 35 or older. Other alcohol abuse stats include:
- 1 in 4 Americans aged 18 or older have engaged in binge drinking in the last 30 days
- Alcohol is responsible for 10 percent of deaths of people aged 15-45 years and 13.5 percent for 20 to 39-year-olds
- Estimates state that up to 6 percent of deaths worldwide are related to alcohol use
- Based on current life expectancies, alcohol use has stolen over 2.7 million years collectively just from Americans
Reducing these numbers takes time, energy and education at a large scale. Making people aware of the possibility of addiction and abuse regarding alcohol is the first step in early intervention. Offering professional treatment without prohibitive costs is how centers such as America’s Rehab Campus are helping individuals take control of their life back from alcohol use disorder, AUD.
What’s Fueling the Increase in Alcohol Abuse
Looking at both the alcohol market and healthcare field, it’s easy to see the correlation between the start of pandemic lockdowns and an increase in alcohol sales. In March of 2020, online sales for liquor rose 262% compared to March of 2019 with the increase happening in just three weeks. A month later and total alcohol sales rose 234% year-over-year, truly showing how much consumption had increased.
The driving force behind the increase can be broken down into three categories.
- Stress was reported by 45.7 percent of participants as the primary reason their drinking increased.
- Boredom caused by the lockdown and quarantine was cited by 30.1 percent as another reason for the increase.
- Availability of alcohol was reported by 34.4% as a contributing factor, specifically delivery and pickup options.
Due to alcohol being completely legal to purchase and consume in excess, it’s become the substance of choice for individuals to use as an escape mechanism. Self-medicating against undesirable emotions or feelings can lead to long-term health problems or even death in severe cases.
Working Together To Find a Solution
Moving into the warmer months as quarantines lift and everyone is able to see each other again has brought a new wave of hope and optimism to adults everywhere. Friends and families can get together again and use the opportunity to create happy memories free of alcohol. The fresh air and sunshine even helps boost energy levels and help those who need treatment find the motivation to take the first steps.
When the time comes, America’s Rehab Campus has its doors wide open. Our team of experienced addiction specialists have helped thousands of Americans overcome alcohol use disorder with long-term success. By tackling addiction at its roots, the ARC team sets each guest up for lifelong sobriety no matter how long recovery takes. With an aftercare network to aid in relapse prevention, treatment programs at ARC can give you the best chances at a successful recovery.
We encourage anyone with questions about our programs, insurance, payments or facility to contact us for a private consultation at no cost and with no obligation. America’s Rehab Campuses accepts many types of insurance including Aetna. Reach out to a specialist today to verify your insurance and get started on your recovery.
