Report released by CDC specialists says that, each year, over 2,200 folks in the US die from alcohol poisoning

Jan 7, 2015 09:23 GMT  ·  By

Just yesterday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a rather worrying report saying that, each and every year, thousands of people in the country die after drinking a wee too much alcohol for their own good.

In a nutshell, the report in question says that alcohol poisoning kills over 2,200 people in the US annually. For those who are not in the mood to put their math skills to the test, this means that, each and every day, an average 6 of the country's residents die from alcohol poisoning.

How alcohol poisoning affects the body and causes death

In its report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that, although not poisonous when consumed in moderation, alcohol can kill. This can happen when people drink a whole lot of it in a short period of time.

Specialists explain that, when indulging in massive amounts of alcohol, people are likely to have trouble controlling their breathing, heart rate and even body temperature. This is because too much alcohol causes critical areas of the brain to cease functioning.

“Alcohol poisoning deaths are a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of excessive alcohol use, which is a leading cause of preventable deaths in the US,” said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Principal Deputy Director Ileana Arias.

Just how big of an issue is excessive alcohol use in the US?

Of the overall number of alcohol poisoning deaths documented in the US on a yearly basis, 3 in 4 involve people between the ages of 35 and 64. The condition is more common among men, and American Indians and Alaska Natives are most likely to be killed by it.

Besides, death rates vary greatly across states. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the documented alcohol poisoning death rate in Alaska is one of 46.5 per million residents. In Alabama, on the other hand, it is one of 5.3 per million residents.

It is understood that, each month, over 38 million people in the US binge drink an average of 4 times. What this means is that they drink more alcohol than they should and risk developing all sorts of medical complications, maybe even get into legal trouble, as a result.

Commenting on the find that alcohol poisoning kills more than 2,200 people in the US annually, specialist Ileana Arias wished to stress that “We need to implement effective programs and policies to prevent binge drinking and the many health and social harms that are related to it, including deaths from alcohol poisoning.”