The road to recovery through alcohol addiction treatment can significantly improve life expectancy for individuals struggling with alcoholism. People seeking treatment often experience improved physical health, emotional wellness, and relationships, collectively contributing to a healthier, longer life. The researchers found that moderate drinkers (one to three drinks per day) had a slightly lower risk of death compared to abstainers.

While in this phase, an individual may still be able to function at work and home, but friends or family may begin to notice changes in their behavior. “We should always remember that alcohol guidelines should act as a limit, not a target, and try to drink well below this threshold.” The 2016 UK guidelines recommend no more than 14 units a week, which is six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine. To find alcohol treatment for yourself or a loved one, visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. However, in the long-term AUDs are known to aggravate these symptoms and may even contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and depression in those who would not have experienced them otherwise. The authors of the report warn that people should interpret the results with caution, as the HRS could contain biases and measurement errors.

How does the Alcoholic Life Expectancy Calculator work?

One of the most severe consequences of alcohol withdrawal is called delirium tremens (“the DTs”), which if left untreated, can be fatal. Alcohol use disorder is a progressive disease that includes a beginning, middle, and end stage, which can result in life-threatening health conditions. It’s not often talked about, but left untreated, alcohol use disorder can be a fatal disease. In fact, how long do alcoholics live it contributes to about 88,000 deaths annually in the U.S., making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The Guidelines also do not recommend that individuals who do not drink alcohol start drinking for any reason and that if adults of legal drinking age choose to drink alcoholic beverages, drinking less is better for health than drinking more.

Using the unique national identification numbers, subjects were each matched with the National Cancer Registry and National Death File between 1997 and 2008. Informed consent was obtained to authorize the processing and analyzing of the data. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at the National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan.

How much drinking is considered moderate?

In 2015, 16.5% of all liver transplants in the United States occurred due to alcoholic liver disease, making it the third most common reason for transplants behind chronic hepatitis C and liver cancer. During the entire study, registered alcohol consumption per capita was highest in Denmark and lowest in Sweden (Fig.​(Fig.7).7). In Denmark, registered alcohol consumption per capita decreased slightly after the year 2002.

• Life expectancy was 24–28 years shorter in people with alcohol use disorder than in the general population.
• In the U.S. and Australia, the drinking recommendation used to be up to 2 drinks for men and 1 drink for women, with an acceptable risk of one death per 100 people in their lifetime.
• A majority of American adults enjoy drinking alcohol, along with the relaxation and positive feelings that alcoholic beverages can provide.
• If you do choose to drink, it’s crucial to do so in moderation and to be mindful of your overall health and lifestyle.
• The study also found that people with alcohol use disorder had higher mortality rates from all causes of death, all medical conditions and diseases, and suicide.

This damage can eventually result in fatal conditions like cirrhosis and liver failure. As the majority of drinkers (64.6% in total and 72.2% in males) also smoked, further analysis of non-smoking drinking HRs were needed to avoid the mixing effect of smoking and drinking. Table 3 shows the comparison of mortality risks of males by drinking status by different causes of deaths, with non-drinkers as the reference.

The positive: moderate alcohol increases life expectancy

At that time, she assumed the position of Chemical Dependency Counselor/ Case Manager. She is currently pursuing a degree in Clinical Psychology with plans to continue helping the lives of people suffering from addictions, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. Dolly brings with her great compassion, empathy and her commitment to a life of service and recovery. Alcohol-related liver disease, or cirrhosis, is caused when a person drinks too much alcohol for a long time. The prognosis for someone diagnosed with cirrhosis depends on whether and how much fibrosis and inflammation are present. If the individual stops drinking and there is no fibrosis present, the fatty liver and inflammation can be reversed.

• However, with proper treatment and support, most people with alcoholism can recover and lead healthy, productive lives.
• As time goes on, alcoholism progresses, affecting your health and well-being.
• Alcohol addiction is commonly referred to as “alcoholism,” and people who struggle with it are usually called “alcoholics”.

Patients admitted to the hospital are also much more likely to exhibit violent, reckless behaviour, with some chronic drinkers even exhibiting suicidal behaviour due to developing mental health disorders [5]. Although there is no cure for heart disease, making lifestyle changes and avoiding alcohol can increase life chances, and mortality rates can be improved [27]. A 2014 study found that the life expectancy of an alcoholic was between 24 and 28 years shorter than the average lifespan of the general population [2]. Fatal accidents from drinking may be a result of drunk driving, overdose, or injuries while impaired, like serious falls. While these deadly accidents can occur after just one episode of heavy drinking, people with alcohol use disorders are more likely to put themselves in these dangerous situations more often because of their regular drinking.