New data from the CDC reveals a staggering increase in alcohol-related deaths in the U.S.—more than 40,000 additional deaths over just six years. Despite this alarming trend, Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness remains surprisingly low in the broader conversation about substance use disorders (SUDs). While the opioid crisis has rightfully received significant attention, experts agree that more work is needed to educate the public, healthcare providers, and the behavioral health industry about the dangers and impact of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
According to the CDC, over 178,300 people died from excessive alcohol use during 2020 and 2021, marking a 29% increase compared to 2016 and 2017. This rise is fueled in part by increased binge drinking, especially among young adults, where nearly one-third reported binge drinking in recent surveys. These statistics underscore the urgent need for widespread Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness to prevent further loss of life and promote early intervention.
Why is Alcohol Use Disorder Overlooked?
One of the biggest challenges in promoting Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness is the cultural normalization of alcohol. Unlike illicit drugs such as fentanyl, alcohol is legal, socially celebrated, and widely available, making conversations around its dangers more complicated. Chuck Ingoglia, CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, explains that alcohol often causes a “slow death,” which makes its harms less visible than the immediate lethality associated with opioids. This invisibility contributes to AUD being overlooked despite affecting nearly 29 million adults nationwide.
Industry insiders also point out that media attention has heavily favored the opioid epidemic because of its dramatic and fast-moving nature, overshadowing AUD, which progresses more gradually but affects a far greater number of people. Alexandra Plante from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing stresses that while opioids have acute lethality, substances like alcohol cause long-term harm that accumulates silently, such as various cancers and chronic diseases.
The Rising Impact on Women and the Call for Better Education
Another key finding from the CDC study is the sharper rise in alcohol-related deaths among women—a 35% increase compared to 27% for men. This trend calls for targeted Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness campaigns that address gender-specific risks and treatment needs.
Moreover, primary care providers often lack sufficient training to identify and treat AUD. Many physicians are unfamiliar with effective medications and treatment strategies that can help patients reduce or stop drinking. Integrating routine alcohol screenings and increasing provider education are critical steps recommended by experts to expand Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness within healthcare.
Toward a Strategic Public Health Response
The CDC and industry leaders advocate for new public health policies aimed at reducing excessive alcohol consumption. Suggestions include limiting the number of alcohol retailers, increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages, and embedding alcohol use screenings into primary and acute care settings. Such measures are essential to improving Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness at the community and healthcare levels.
Behavioral health providers also emphasize the importance of integrated care that addresses co-occurring mental health conditions alongside AUD. Updated treatment guidelines from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) call for more holistic approaches, recognizing the complex interplay between mental illness and substance use.
Breaking the Stigma and Expanding Treatment Options
A major barrier to effective AUD treatment is stigma. Many individuals struggling with alcohol misuse feel guilt and shame, which prevents them from seeking help. Digital treatment platforms, like Monument, are helping change this narrative by offering accessible, confidential care options and spreading Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness through education and support.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), combined with therapy and peer support, has shown success but remains underutilized. Increasing awareness about these options is a crucial part of expanding recovery pathways and encouraging more people to get the help they need.
A Mental Shift Is Needed
Ultimately, the fight to reduce alcohol-related deaths hinges on a societal “mental shift” in how we perceive and address alcohol use. As Brian Wind of Regard Recovery points out, alcohol destroys families and lives in ways that often go unnoticed. Greater Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness will help reshape public attitudes, policy priorities, and clinical practices to better tackle this hidden epidemic.
By broadening the focus beyond opioids and raising awareness about the widespread impact of alcohol, the healthcare industry and society can work together to reduce suffering and save lives. The time for increased Alcohol Use Disorder Awareness is now—because this crisis affects millions and continues to grow.
