Alcoholism in the Population

• More than seven percent of the population ages 18 years and older -- nearly 13.8 million Americans -- have problems with drinking, including 8.1 million people who suffer from alcoholism.
• 3.1 million Americans -- approximately 1.4% of the population 12 and older -- received addiction treatment for alcoholism and alcohol-related problems in 1997; treatment peaked among people 26-34.
• Studies of suicide victims in the general population show that about 20% are alcoholic.
• As many as 3 million Americans over the age of 60 are alcoholics or have serious drinking problems.
• Two-thirds of the population consumes alcohol, but 10% of drinkers drink half of all alcohol consumed.
• Alcohol contributes to 100,000 deaths annually, making it the third leading cause of preventable death in this country.