Correlation & Causation How Alcohol Affects Life Expectancy by Bence L Tóth

These deaths were responsible for a 2 year loss in life expectancy at age 15 years among men and 0.4 years among women, which explains at least one-fifth of the difference in life expectancies between the sexes. In the age group of 15–49 years, over 40% of all deaths among men and 15% among women were alcohol related. In this age group, over 50% of the mortality difference between the sexes results from alcohol-related deaths. This study shows that alcohol consumption is an important public health issue in Finland and a significant determinant of male premature mortality. Life expectancy was 24–28 years shorter in people with alcohol use disorder than in the general population. People with alcohol use disorder had higher mortality from all causes of death (mortality rate ratio, 3.0–5.2), all diseases and medical conditions (2.3–4.8), and suicide (9.3–35.9).

At Agape Treatment Center located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, we understand that overcoming your addiction to alcohol is challenging, and not something anyone should do alone. Our medical alcohol detox helps you safely wean your body off alcohol while our other treatment programs help you learn to stay off alcohol for good. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness. We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful. While precise figures are hard to come by, excessive drinking is known to be a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Dr. Raja is a board-certified internal medicine physician, certified by both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Life expectancy

You are at an increased risk for cancer if you regularly drink alcohol, and specifically the more alcohol you drink on a consistent basis the higher likelihood you have to die at an earlier age or develop specific types of cancers. The most common cancers among drinkers are that of the head and neck, liver, esophageal, colorectal and breast cancers. However, drinking even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk for some cancers, such as breast cancer. Alcohol-induced liver disease can cause symptoms like nausea, weight loss, loss of appetite and confusion. Often, these symptoms only present themselves after the liver is already damaged.

Despite these potential health benefits, most doctors don’t recommend that someone who doesn’t drink start drinking, or for a moderate drinker to drink more. That’s because these are only correlations (which does not necessarily mean causation). Many of these benefits are quite small, and it’s hard to predict who will actually benefit and who may be harmed more than helped by alcohol consumption.

Long-Term Health Risks after Years of Alcohol

The average life span of an alcoholic goes down with each drink, increasing the risk for heart and liver problems, cancer and suicide. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, Diamond House Detox can help. The average lifespan of an alcoholic tends to be shorter than that of the general public because heavy drinking on a regular and long-term basis can increase the risk of developing several life-threatening diseases and conditions. But for chronic heavy drinkers, the effects of alcohol on the body and mind can be severe, potentially leading to worse overall health, lower quality of life, and shorter life expectancy. The conclusion of the study was that people who have to be hospitalized because of the negative health effects of their alcoholism typically have an average life expectancy of 47 to 53 years for men and 50 to 58 years for women. A major limitation of this study was the inclusion of patients from inpatient care only, which may have caused selection bias towards AUD patients with the most severe health problems.

Focusing on Behavioral Medicine, he became the Director of Assessment and Admissions at Canyon Ridge Hospital in 1999. Throughout his career, Mr. Collier has committed himself to providing hospital based acute care treatment for those suffering from addictions and related illness. Sophia joined Hemet Valley Recovery Center & Sage Retreat in November 2017, with two years of experience in the field of addiction, helping others learn a new way of life through the recovery process.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

The risk factors included former alcohol or drug dependence or abuse, alcohol risky drinking, having tried to cut down or to stop drinking, tobacco smoking, and self-rated fair to poor health. The level of alcohol-related mortality has been estimated for several populations, but few studies have reported plausible results on the connection between alcohol-related mortality and age and sex. The Finnish death register includes information on both the underlying and contributory causes of death and it yields an individual-level estimate of the contribution of alcohol in mortality. The data for 1987–1993 are used to examine alcohol-related mortality by cause of death, age and sex and to estimate the impact of excessive alcohol use on life expectancy by sex.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use shortens people’s lives by 26 years.
• Kari began working as a professional in the chemical dependency field in 2015, in the roles of Behavioral Technician, House Lead, and then a Substance Abuse Counselor.
• While alcohol is not the only cause of pancreatitis, heavy drinking can cause both chronic and acute pancreatitis.

Esther’s extensive knowledge in Crisis Intervention has helped her motivate many individuals suffering from substance abuse issues take the first steps towards healing. Emily brings with her over 3 years of experience in the addiction field having previously worked for a local substance abuse treatment program. She also shares her 12 years of administrative & customer service experience as a member of the intake/admissions department. With a management background, Kristal brings with her many skills including an advanced understanding of computer technology, administrative organization, multi-tasking and excellent customer service. Her educational plans include obtaining her CADC certification, as well a greater understanding of the licensure and regulatory requirements as related to chemical dependency treatment.

In Denmark, mortality rate ratios increased during the entire study in men and women for most age groups, especially ages 30–59 years (Table ​(Table3).3). In Finland, mortality rate ratios increased during the entire study period in men and women aged 30–44 years. In Sweden, mortality rate ratios increased during the entire study period in men aged 30–74 years and women aged 45–74 years (Table ​(Table33). For cardiovascular and for cancer mortality, we used the death certificate information.

Is a Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist that specializes in Physical Medicine and Pain Management. Rebecca has a passion for helping people reach their health goals through the most natural means possible. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Yo San University in 2008 and began her private practice in 2009. She integrates both Eastern and Western treatment modalities to insure her patients receive the highest standard of care. In her 12 years of clinical experience, her focus has been on treating chronic pain, failed surgeries, and rheumatoid conditions.

We understand how challenging it can be to overcome an alcohol addiction, and we are here to help you every step of the way. There’s a link between alcohol misuse and the risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts and death by suicide. A 2021 study found men with a history of alcohol charges have more than twice the risk of suicide.

• Throughout his career, Mr. Collier has committed himself to providing hospital based acute care treatment for those suffering from addictions and related illness.
• This study shows that alcohol consumption is an important public health issue in Finland and a significant determinant of male premature mortality.
• This analysis examines the pattern of association between alcohol consumption and the average life expectancy of various countries, explaining the possible correlations and offers insight into why these correlations might be present.
• Many studies have reported J-shaped curves relating alcohol to mortality, suggesting the lowest risk for light-moderate drinkers [2–5], while others found non-significant associations or linear associations [1, 6, 7].
• She  also developed an understanding of various detox protocols, and the ability to identify the withdrawal symptoms unique to each substance.

Even 24 hours after being drunk can slow your body’s ability to ward off infections. “Based on extensive reviews of research studies, there is a strong scientific consensus of an association between alcohol drinking and several types of cancer. In its Report on Carcinogens, the National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services lists consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen.” (National Institute on Cancer, 2018). Many people use alcohol to self-medicate mental health issues like anxiety and depression. They may struggle with a mood or personality disorder or even attempt to cope with trauma by turning to alcohol.

Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use in the United States

As the Clinical Nurse Manager for Hemet Valley Recovery Center & Sage Retreat, Crystal’s nursing career began as an LVN graduating from Concorde Career College in 2010. Crystal went on to earn her Registered Nursing degree from Mt. San Jacinto College. Having a limited understanding of Substance Use Disorders, Crystal gained valuable experience caring for those seeking treatment for the abuse of alcohol, benzodiazepines, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/what-is-the-life-expectancy-of-an-alcoholic/ opiates, amphetamines, and combinations of these and many more as an LVN, and then as an RN. Crystal also has a background in Medical Surgical Nursing with a specialty in orthopedic surgery from Riverside University Health System, a level 1 trauma hospital. She now has over 12 years of experience in Chemical Dependency nursing, and is currently in the process of obtaining her degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

• In Sweden, registered alcohol consumption per capita decreased slightly in the 90s and increased thereafter.
• At Inland Detox we offer a comprehensive alcohol rehab and detox center that includes support during alcohol withdrawals as well as help with moving towards a full recovery.
• When the immune system becomes damaged by heavy drinking, it can weaken functions like the lung immune response, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases like pneumonia.