Alcohol

7 December 2018

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties that has been widely used in many cultures for centuries. The harmful use of alcohol causes a large disease, social and economic burden in societies.

The harmful use of alcohol can also result in harm to other people, such as family members, friends, co-workers and strangers. Moreover, the harmful use of alcohol results in a significant health, social and economic burden on society at large.

WHO/S. Volkov

Worldwide, 3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol.

The 3 million deaths every year from harmful use of alcohol represents 5.3% of all deaths.

Adam Wilson, Unsplash

Overall 5.1 % of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol.

As measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), overall 5.1 % of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol.

Flickr/C. Charles

Alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life.

In the age group 20–39 years approximately 13.5 % of the total deaths are alcohol-attributable.

/