|  | Conditions Treatments | Drug Addiction

Statistics About Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a prevalent problem in the United States. Many people have been exposed to a family member or loved one who has struggled with alcohol, and over 13 million people have issues with drinking. Not only does alcohol abuse create a strain on the individual, it takes a financial toll on society as a whole. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, be sure to talk to your doctor or a loved one about getting help.

  1. Prevalence

    • According to alcoholism-statistics.com, 13.8 million Americans ages 18 and older have problems with drinking, and 8.1 million suffer from alcoholism. Among women, 3.9 million are problem drinkers, and 9.8 million men have problems with drinking. The website learn-about-alcoholism.com claims that 43 percent of the U.S. adult population has been exposed to someone who is dependent on alcohol.

    Financial Cost

    • These widespread problems with drinking come with a hefty price tag. Learn-about-alcoholism.com claims that untreated addiction costs the U.S. $400 billion a year, with every adult paying $1,000 a year for the damages that addiction brings. Productivity shortfalls result in a loss of $66.7 billion.

    Risk of Alcohol Addiction

    • Treatment-centers.net claims that 40 percent of alcohol addiction is passed on through the genes, while 60 percent of addiction likelihood comes from unknown sources. They also report that people in healthy relationships with their spouses have an 8.9 percent chance of becoming an alcohol addict, while those who have never married have a 29.2 percent chance of developing a problem with alcohol.

    Treatment Statistics

    • People with alcohol problems do sometimes look for help. Alcoholism-statistics.com reports that 1.4 percent of the population received treatment for alcoholism. This figure measures all individuals 12 and over. The age range with the highest number of patients was 26 to 34.

    Talk to Your Doctor

    • If you think you have a problem with drinking, talk to your doctor or a loved one. Alcohol abuse is a serious problem in the U.S., so be sure to reach out if you need help. Your doctor may direct you to an organization such as Alcoholics Anonymous, where you can gain a network of support while trying to control your problem.

Drug Addiction - Related Articles