Alcohol-Related Deaths Jumped by More Than 25% in the First Year of the Pandemic

According to new research, the number of alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. increased by 25.5% between 2019 and 2020, encompassing the first year of major COVID-19 spread. In 2019, there were 78,927 deaths linked to alcohol in the U.S. In 2020, there were 99,017. The average annual increase in deaths involving alcohol was 2.2% between 1999 and 2017, meaning the recent surge was significantly higher than usual.

The study, published Friday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, used mortality data provided by the National Center for Health Statistics for people aged 16 and older. The specific way alcohol contributed to these deaths varied. For instance, the number of these deaths with an underlying cause of alcohol-related mental and behavioral disorders increased from 11,261 deaths in 2019 to 15,211 in 2020. This marks a 35% increase. But the number of opioid overdose deaths that had alcohol as a contributing factor jumped even more—from 8,503 to 11,969, or around 41%.

Also important to note: Although deaths from all causes and from COVID-19 also increased from 2019 to 2020, that doesn’t entirely account for the rise in alcohol-related deaths. “The rate increase for alcohol-related deaths in 2020 outpaced the increase in all-cause mortality, which was 16.6%,” the study authors noted, adding, “Only a small proportion of the increase in alcohol-related deaths involved COVID-19 directly.”

With so many alcohol-related deaths during this period, it’s no surprise that the study also found an increase in transplants for alcohol-associated liver disease and emergency department visits for alcohol withdrawal.

The 2020-spike in alcohol-related deaths and negative health effects is one sign of the great deal of pandemic-induced pressure people are feeling. “Deaths involving alcohol reflect hidden tolls of the pandemic. Increased drinking to cope with pandemic-related stressors, shifting alcohol policies, and disrupted treatment access are all possible contributing factors,” researchers said in the study. “Whether alcohol-related deaths will decline as the pandemic wanes, and whether policy changes could help reduce such deaths, warrants consideration.”

This study only adds to the growing body of evidence on how pervasive alcohol-related health issues have become during the pandemic. These issues can run the gamut, but many stem from alcohol use disorder, which the Mayo Clinic describes as a pattern of behaviors involving difficulty striking a balance with drinking; becoming fixated on drinking alcohol; using alcohol even when it causes social, mental, or physical problems; or experiencing symptoms of withdrawal. Beyond the potential mental health difficulties that can come with drinking too much, consistently drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can also cause a range of physical health problems, including liver disease (increased fat in the liver, inflammation, and scarring of tissue); digestive issues (inflammation of the stomach lining, stomach and esophageal ulcers); pancreatic damage (inflammation of the pancreas); and heart problems (high blood pressure, stroke, atrial fibrillation).

If you or someone you know is concerned about excessive drinking, there are ways to try to create healthy boundaries with alcohol. You might find joining a support group—like Alcoholics Anonymous, Queer AA, Tempest, or Women for Sobriety—incredibly helpful in your journey. You can also gather inspiration and strategies from people who have been there before. And, if you have the need and the access, speaking to a medical doctor or a therapist can be an important part of cutting back on drinking.