By Kate Reynolds
National Sober Day occurs annually on September 14, part of National Sober Month. This day was founded in 2019 by ‘Real Aligned Women’ who identify as a ‘sisterhood for sobriety. This initiative is also sponsored by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, all to commemorate people who have overcome their alcohol addiction and raise awareness of what the results are from misusing alcohol.
“Individuals afflicted with alcohol addiction may feel isolated and helpless, especially when the adverse health and societal effects of their addiction become noticeable. We want those impacted to know that they aren’t alone, and as such, we want to encourage them to seek help,” said Illinois Liquor Control Commission Executive Director Lisa Gardner.
More than 17 million American adults are suffering from alcohol use disorder. Alcohol causes approximately 88,000 deaths a year, and 40% (35,200) of all car accident deaths in the U.S. involve alcohol. According to a 2021 study be the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, less than 10% (8,800) ever receive treatment.
Sobering alcohol statistics:
- Percent of adults aged 18 and over who had at least one heavy drinking day (five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women) in the past year: 25.1%
- An average of 5,151 annual deaths in Illinois are attributable to excessive alcohol use.
- Illinois averages one (1) death from excessive alcohol use for every 2,487 people aged 18 and older or 5.17 deaths for every 10,000 adults.
- Number of alcoholic liver disease deaths: 33,098
- 6% of people who die from excessive alcohol use in Illinois are male.
- 4% of excessive alcohol use deaths are from chronic causes, such as Alcohol Use Disorder.
- 0% of deaths in Illinois from excessive alcohol use are adults aged 35 years and older.
- 48% of people in Illinois who die from excessive alcohol use are under 21.
- The CDC estimates 134,820 years of potential life is lost to excessive alcohol use yearly.
- Illinois taxpayers spent $9.716 billion due to excessive alcohol use in 2010; adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to $13.116 billion or $2.51 per drink in 2022 US$.
For more information/help: https://helplineil.org/app