On average, alcoholics have a life expectancy that is 20 to 30 years shorter than people who do not struggle with alcohol addiction. A major strength of this study was the comparison of life expectancy and mortality in all people who had AUD diagnosed in three Nordic countries with different alcohol policies and patterns of alcohol consumption. The availability of nationwide health registers enabled us to follow the entire study population. The large population size (all people treated for AUD from three countries) provided highly reliable data. Much time and effort was invested in quality assurance of statistical analytical techniques, which made the data comparable between the different countries.

Regular excess drinking can take years off your life, study finds

Alcohol is one of the leading risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Below, we explore the relationship between alcohol and longevity in more detail, starting by comparing modest drinking with regular and heavy https://dworekemilii.pl/2023/03/24/the-power-and-potential-of-endorphins-for-alcohol/ drinking. Tests for trends were assessed using Wald tests, by fitting median values of intake per intake category as continuous terms.

Are there genetic factors that affect life expectancy in alcoholics?

• In Denmark, the number of men and women hospitalized because of AUD was similar for the 5-year periods from 1987 to 2001 but increased for 2002 to 2006 (Table 1).
• As to what a “moderate amount” of alcohol actually looks like, the studies I read seem to be all over the place, and also vary by gender.
• Binge drinking – a trend whereby a male consumes five or six beverages within two hours – is often found with unhealthy alcohol usage.
• Key risks include liver damage (e.g., cirrhosis), cardiovascular disease, weakened immune function, cancer, and neurological damage.

Also finding that drinkers live longer than abstainers was not very relevant during Prohibition. This study was funded by the Changhua Christian Hospital (109-CCH-IRP-031, Sober living house 109-CCH-HCR-133, and 110-CCH-IRP-092). There were 525,000 incidents of violent crime where the offender was under the influence of alcohol in 2020, which therefore has a direct link to fatal accidents and the expected life span of an alcoholic 25. Research also suggests that drinking at this level often can lead to weight gain, putting unnecessary strain on the heart and leading to heart failure 18. An individual diagnosed with liver cirrhosis has an expected life span thereafter of around 12 years 12. Statistics state that there were nearly 9000 deaths in the UK in 2020 with alcohol-specific causes 8.

Modest Drinking

C.C.W., and C.P.W. supervised the study, provided quality control on statistical analysis, and reviewed and edited the main manuscript text, wrote the draft of why do alcoholics live so long main manuscript text, reviewed and interpreted all statistical results. C.C.W. and C.P.W. had final approval and overall responsibility for the published work. Laura Morris is an experienced clinical practitioner and CQC Registered Manager with over twenty years experience, over ten of which have been as an Independent Nurse Prescriber. She has held a number of senior leadership roles in the substance use and mental health sector in the NHS, the prison service and in leading social enterprises in the field. Studies suggest that maintaining sobriety for 7 years minimum is the best way to minimise any permanent harm to a person’s physical health 18. Drinking alcohol can lead to the development of at least seven types of cancer, including bowel, mouth, throat, and breast cancer 11.

• In 2024, alcohol-related emergency room visits will likely reflect the continued challenges of managing alcohol use disorder and its effects on health.
• It’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor about your alcohol intake and to be mindful of your overall health and lifestyle.
• Alcoholic Life Expectancy Calculators serve as a vital tool for individuals and healthcare professionals to estimate the potential impact of alcohol consumption on lifespan.
• It also underscores the importance of considering an individual’s unique genetic makeup when assessing their risk for developing AUD and related health conditions that can influence life expectancy.
• This website, its content, and all related services and products are for informational purposes only.

Over a period of several weeks, months or years, excess alcohol consumption can lead to full-blown anxiety or depression. This may result in an increased risk of self-harm or even attempting to take your own life. On a basic level, drinking alcohol can shorten your life because it means that you’re consuming empty calories on a regular basis. Even a light beer can be 200 calories or more per serving, which is approximately 12 ounces. If you’re consuming three, six or nine beers a day, you consume the equivalent to nearly your entire recommended caloric intake.

How Long Do Drug Addicts Live? Using an Addiction Calculator

Vital status follow-up consisted of record linkage to the Central Bureau for Genealogy and to municipal population registries from 1986 to 2007, yielding exact dates of death. Vital status follow-up of the longevity cohort until age 90 (2006–07) was 99.9% complete; seven participants were lost to follow-up due to migration. The resulting study population consisted of 3,646 men and 4,161 women (Appendix-Figure 1). Moderate drinkers live longer in general than either abstainers or alcohol abusers.

• Liver disease accounts for more than two million deaths each year in the US, and deaths related specifically to ALD have surged since 1999 (14).
• Again, moderate drinkers had a slightly lower risk of death (compared to abstainers).
• Whether considering the immediate risks, long-term health consequences, or the influence of lifestyle and genetics, it’s clear that alcohol’s impact is significant.
• However, of 8,134 women who were not married at the time of recruitment, 5,600 (7.5 %) were widows.
• The impact of alcoholism and life expectancy is thoroughly documented, and the answers are shocking.

Globally, about 32.5% of people are current drinkers, consuming an average of 0.73 standard drinks daily for females and 1.7 for males. In the US, 62.5% of people aged 12 and older are current drinkers, with 21.7% reporting binge drinking in the past month (3)(4). In recent decades, per capita alcohol consumption in the United States has been steadily increasing. As alcohol use rises, understanding its effects on our mental and physical well-being—particularly on longevity and life expectancy—becomes increasingly important (1). During the three-year recruitment period, 74,942 women and 66,743 husbands were enrolled in the study.