In the series “The Deadliest Drug,” STAT highlights an often-overlooked crisis: the widespread misuse of alcohol. This substance claims more American lives annually than all illegal drugs combined, yet it rarely garners the attention of health authorities, industry stakeholders, or the public. STAT journalists Isabella Cueto and Lev Facher explored the severe impact of this crisis and its multifaceted origins, ranging from personal to political factors. Additionally, STAT data editor J. Emory Parker enhanced their findings with detailed data visualizations.
These visualizations illustrate the impact, emerging threats, changes in usage, and the economic implications of America’s alcohol consumption.
The number of adverse events related to drinking, such as emergency room visits, has risen significantly in recent years. In 2022, American emergency rooms documented approximately 5.4 million alcohol-related visits. In several states, hospital admissions due to alcohol far exceed those related to other substances, such as opioids.
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