So much about alcohol use is common knowledge at this point. We all know that alcohol can be harmful if too much is consumed [any is harmful really], we know that it’s a major factor in human-error deaths, and we know that teenagers will still get their hands on it even if it’s illegal. However, how many statistics and numbers do we really know about alcohol? Sure, we know there are a lot of illnesses from it, and there is too much consumed, but what are the numbers really? Below I will list of some amazing facts about alcohol that will shock and hopefully enlighten you.
The Facts About Alcohol Use and Abuse:
- Each year, roughly 5000 underage drinkers die from alcohol including poisoning and car accidents.
- Alcohol stunts brain growth in developing brains.
- Alcohol use by teenagers can lead to other risky behavior such as alcohol problems as adults and risky sex.
- 70% of 18 year-olds say they have at least tried alcohol, and 80% of college students say they actively drink it.
- The age range with the highest rate of binge-drinking is 18-34 year olds.
- Two-thirds of high schoolers who actively drink, do so to the point of becoming drunk, as in, not just a little buzz.
- Roughly 17% of men and 9% of women will depend on alcohol at some point in their life.
- There are about 80,000 recorded deaths relating to alcohol in America annually.
- Women absorb alcohol faster but metabolize it slower than men.
- Only 2-3 drinks are needed to negatively affect coordination for up to 2 days.
- Alcohol is contributed to roughly half of a million unintentional injuries each year.
- 8% of emergency room visits relate to alcohol consumption.
- One-third of suicides are related to the misuse of alcohol.
- Alcohol goes directly into the bloodstream which is why it affects each part of your body.
- Having one glass of wine a day can add up to 10 pounds a year.
- Binge drinking is more common in men than women [almost twice as likely].
- Roughly 5% of all adults were classified as heavy drinkers, or 14 drinks a week for men; 7 for women.
- Alcohol is deemed the most misused drug.
- Nearly half of all car accidents were as a result of alcohol abuse.
- College students spend more money on alcohol than textbooks.
- Alcohol is the most common date-rape drug.
- It takes about 1 hour per drink to sober up; a person who has 5 beers will take about 5 hours to become sober.
- 28% of college dropouts are heavy alcohol users.
Why Should You Care?
Many people tend to forget exactly how dangerous alcohol can be, how it affects your body, and how it leads to so many problems in society. Although not everyone drinks irresponsibly, there are still too many people who do and it creates problems. Alcohol consumption leads to wasted money, unnecessary injuries, deaths, and hospital visits, and long-term ramifications of drinking. If you do drink, please only do so in moderation and understand the risks associated with drinking. Don’t become just another statistic, seek treatment if an alcohol addiction is believed to be present, give Morningside Recovery a call at (855) 416-8202 today for more assistance.
By Michelle Conway
Photo by: Michelle Tribe (Flickr)
