The Heaviest Drinkers Are Often Not Alcoholics

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a new report that reveals some surprising statistics about alcohol consumption in the United States. For starters, about 90 percent of all "excessive drinkers" are not alcoholics.

And while that may sound like an encouraging statistic, the same report also revealed that one in three American adults regularly partakes in what the CDC considers "excessive drinking."

The report, published in a collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), was released on Thursday in the CDC journal Preventing Chronic Disease.

"Excessive drinking includes binge drinking (four or more drinks on an occasion for women, five or more drinks on an occasion for men); consuming eight or more drinks a week for women or 15 or more drinks a week for men; or any alcohol use by pregnant women or those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21," according to the report.

Aside from the latter part of that definition, it is not exactly surprising that a good portion of American adults are considered excessive in their drinking habits. However, Robert Brewer, the Alcohol Program Lead at the CDC, is quick to add that this is still a strong testament to the need to keep a close eye on addiction numbers.

"This study shows that, contrary to popular opinion, most people who drink too much are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics," he said in a statement. "It also emphasizes the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to reducing excessive drinking that includes evidence-based community strategies, screening and counseling in healthcare settings, and high-quality substance abuse treatment for those who need it." 

The report also details how, while excessive drinking does not boast a risk of dependency for most, it is still is a threat to a person's well being.

According to the CDC, alcohol use is responsible for 88,000 deaths in the nation each year (including about 3,700 deaths from alcohol dependence), largely associated with the adverse health effects of frequent heavy drinking. This includes liver disease, and heart disease, and even breast cancer. Drunk driving, alcohol poisoning, and violent altercations were also common causes of alcohol-related deaths.