If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or Text 838255. You can also call 911.
Alcohol Use Disorder, or AUD, is a medical condition where a person has a hard time controlling how much they drink, even when it can cause problems for them. With AUD, the person drinking isn’t the only one affected. AUD can also impact a person’s family, friends and even society as a whole. Let’s take a closer look at some of these impacts and how we can help those dealing with AUD.
Examples of AUD’s Social Impacts
Impact on Relationships: AUD can strain relationships with family and friends. It can lead to broken trust, conflicts and isolation. People with AUD may neglect their responsibilities, leading to problems at home, work, school or with their health and well-being.
Economic Impact: AUD can lead to job loss or reduced productivity at work, which can result in financial problems. It also has a broader economic impact, including healthcare costs for treating AUD and lost productivity in the workforce. In a recent study, researchers estimated that alcohol use cost $1,309 per adult in a single year, which included things like medical costs, legal costs, car repairs and unemployment.
Impact on Public Safety: Alcohol is a factor in many incidents of violence, including domestic abuse and assault. It’s also a factor in many traffic accidents, some of which are fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the U.S., about 37 people die each day from drunk driving accidents. In 2022, more than 13,000 people in the U.S. died in traffic accidents where someone was driving impaired from alcohol.
Impact on Health: AUD can lead to serious health problems, including liver disease, heart problems and an increased risk of cancer. It can also lead to mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
Impact on Children: Children of parents with AUD are at higher risk of experiencing abuse or neglect. They’re also more likely to develop AUD themselves later in life.
AUD is a treatable condition. If you or someone you know is struggling with AUD, it’s important to seek help from licensed medical professionals.
Resources
If you need help to quit or limit your drinking, the Department of Defense provides screenings to help identify what type of support you need and what treatment would work best for you. They offer inpatient, partial inpatient and outpatient treatment options.
Military OneSource
Support for Military Personnel & Families | Military OneSource is a DoD supported service offering 24/7 confidential support and are specialized in helping military members, families and veterans. Services are provided CONUS and OCONUS via call-in, live chat and text on their website and mobile app.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
You may also call the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free and confidential treatment referral and information service (provided in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders and is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
