Alcohol, Marijuana Abuse Are at Record Highs

A survey from 2014 shows alcohol, marijuana abuse are at record highs compared to studies from the 1990s. While drug consumption has remained more or less unchanged, many more Americans seem to abuse alcohol, the new figures indicate.

Drugs and painkillers are generally regarded as harmful, with many studies being conducted to lower consumption among U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, new studies have revealed that increasingly more deaths have occurred as a result of binge drinking and alcohol abuse.

The data which was collected in 2014 has revealed that 30,700 Americans died as a result of alcohol ingestion. That is almost 10,000 more deaths compared to the then-staggering toll of 22,000 in 2006. Only gun violence produced the same number of victims in 2014; figures amounted to 34,000 in 2014, whereas opioid abuse caused around 29,000 deaths within the same year.

Scientists have further added that alcohol-related deaths in 2014 may not be comprehensive. Many victims lose their lives each year in DUI accidents and violent crimes, but these were not taken into consideration for the current survey.

The 2014 study only looked at deaths that are directly related to alcohol abuse, such as, liver cirrhosis. If other factors were taken into consideration, as well, the death toll could rise to 88,000 only in America.

There is but one conclusion to all these facts: U.S. citizens drink increasing more quantities of alcohol. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control estimates that the biggest rise in alcohol consumption occurred among women. While female respondents indulge in binge drinking more often, male participants prefer heavy drinking. Surprisingly, more alcohol-related deaths took place among men even though women drink more.

CDC tried to explain the new statistical reality. In their opinion, there could be a correlation between alcohol consumption and opioid abuse, after all. Most people combine opioids and painkillers with alcohol making the latter deadly.

This is, in scientists’ opinion, the only explanation as to why so many people die from alcohol abuse, considering that opioids are at an all-time high, too. The second possibility is that alcohol has become much more affordable these days causing people to exaggerate.

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