The Landscape of Alcohol Use in the U.S. 2021

Data sheet sections include: prevalence of alcohol use, health effects of consuming alcohol, underage drinking, emergency room visits/motor vehicle accidents, impact of COVID-19 on alcohol use, benefits of prevention, benefits of treatment and recovery, key federal grant programs, the Drug-Free Communities support program, and the role of state alcohol and drug agencies. 

Data was gathered from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Binge drinking prevalences: 

  • People aged 18-25 - 31.4%
  • Adults 26 and older - 22.9%
  • Adolescents aged 12-17 - 4.1% 

Heavy Alcohol Use Prevalences: 

  • People aged 18-25 - 8.6% 
  • Adults 26 and older - 7.7% 
  • Adolescents aged 12-17 - .6%

AUD

  • 28.3 million people aged 12 years and older
  • Only 2.1 million reported receiving treatment
  • Only 362,000 received medication-assisted treatment 

 

From 2019 to 2020, admissions to treatment increased 63.6% (2,069,199 in 2019 to 3,384,434 in 2020). From 2020 to 2021, admissions to treatment increased 114.3% (3,384,434 in 2020 to 7,252,145 in 2021). 

National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors. 2022. The Landscape of Alcohol Use in the U.Shttps://nasadad.org/2022/08/the-landscape-of-alcohol-use-in-the-u-s/