Alcohol has been widely consumed for thousands of years by millions of people around the globe. People commonly drink alcohol at social gatherings like weddings and parties and even include alcohol in their religious and cultural traditions. While alcohol is a legal substance in most parts of the world and can be safe when consumed in moderation, abusing alcohol can lead to serious problems with alcoholism, or alcohol addiction.
Alcohol addiction is an ongoing global epidemic contributing to increased crime and unemployment rates, as well as costs associated with hospitalization and incarceration. Alcohol addiction has led to an increase in the number of deaths caused by alcohol-related auto accidents, and an increase in incidents of serious health conditions associated with alcohol abuse, such as cirrhosis. Between 2010 and 2019, the number of alcohol-attributable deaths increased by 20.2% globally. Worldwide, an estimated 400 million people live with alcohol use disorders, and 209 million have alcohol dependence.
A study from Finland found that adults who live close to a bar are more likely to drink alcohol on a regular basis, and for every kilometer a person moves closer to a bar, it increases their risk of becoming a heavy drinker by 17%. This study shows what we already know—that a person’s environment impacts their alcohol consumption. Naturally, living in a culture where heavy drinking is the norm will increase a person’s risk of alcoholism.
Tackling alcohol addiction on a global scale can help improve public safety around the world, and the quality of lives of those affected by addiction. Strategies can be implemented at home, at the national level, and around the world to tackle this epidemic head-on and prevent it from becoming worse.
Here’s a look at the top 10 countries that struggle with alcoholism according to World Health Organization data from 2018, along with what you can do at home to prevent you and your loved ones from becoming victims of alcohol addiction.
10. Slovakia Alcohol Consumption
More than 12% of Slovakia’s population has an alcohol use disorder. Much like the United States, drinking is a big part of their culture, with some form of alcohol present at most social gatherings. One of the main differences in their culture? A standard shot glass in Slovakia is 14% larger than the standard shot class found in the rest of the world.
9. Estonia Alcohol Consumption
Similar to Slovakia, 12.2% of the population of Estonia has an alcohol use disorder. One of the reasons this number has risen in Estonia is the increased access to alcohol in recent years. As of 2022, incomes began to increase in this country, so more people could afford it. The substance is also physically available in this area. One survey of Estonians found that 90% of respondents could reach a place to buy alcohol in less than 10 minutes.
8. Poland Alcohol Consumption
In Poland, 12.8% of the population has an alcohol use disorder. The Polish Żubrówka vodka happens to be one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world.
7. South Korea Alcohol Consumption
With 13.9% of the population experiencing an alcohol use disorder, South Korea comes in at number seven in our ranking of the top drinking rates by country. The Euromonitor International report states that South Koreans do 13.7 shots of hard liquor each week. Drinking is even encouraged by employers, who often host work dinners called hoesik, where colleagues eat and drink together.
6. United States Alcohol Consumption
Somewhat surprisingly, the U.S. did not make the top five. But with 13.9% of the population experiencing alcohol use disorder, the United States is clearly struggling with this issue. In fact, alcohol misuse is the third leading cause of preventable death in this country. Liver disease, liver cancer, and alcohol-related accidents on the road all contribute to these numbers.
5. Slovenia Alcohol Consumption
Tied with the U.S., Slovenia’s population is also experiencing alcohol use disorder at a rate of 13.9%. While they country has hosted an annual ’40 Days Dry’ campaign for more than a dozen years during the Lent season, alcohol consumption continues to pose a problem in Slovenia. Their mortality rate for alcohol-related deaths is higher than the EU average, and the estimated economic burden of alcohol consumption in Slovenia is about $249 million per year.
4. Latvia Alcohol Consumption
Between 2010 and 2018, alcohol consumption in Latvia continued to climb, increasing from 9.8 liters of alcohol per capita to 13.2 liters. Their rate of alcohol use disorder nationwide is 15.5%.
3. Belarus Alcohol Consumption
Belarus is one of the most alcoholic countries in Europe, with 18.8% of the population experiencing alcohol use disorder. Alcohol consumption continues to climb, despite government policies to curb the problem. Nearly 20,000 Belarusians die each year due to alcohol-related issues.
2. Russia Alcohol Consumption
Russia’s rate of alcohol use disorder is 20.9% of the population. This is probably due in part to the fact that drinking is socially acceptable in Russia–and it’s a significant source of income for the government. Russian consumption of alcohol per capita is one of the highest in the world.
1. Hungary Alcohol Consumption
Topping this list is Hungary, with 21.2% of the population experiencing alcohol use disorder. What may contribute to this problem is the price of alcohol in Hungary. Eurostat reports this country has the cheapest prices of all European Union nations. Whatever the root cause, Hungary’s alcoholism rate is the highest in the world.
Fighting Alcohol Addiction Globally and at Home
Roughly 28.9 million adults in the U.S. suffer from alcohol dependence. Plus, an estimated 178,000 Americans die from excessive drinking every year, with one-third of those deaths caused by binge drinking (including overdoses, alcohol poisonings, and motor vehicle crashes.)
As U.S. leaders address alcoholism on the national level, Americans can address alcoholism at home through a series of measures that lower the risk for alcohol abuse and addiction. Parents can educate their children about the dangers of alcohol use and keep alcohol safely locked away to prevent experimentation and abuse among youth. People can also learn to recognize common signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction and find out what to do when someone needs help so they can connect their loved ones with alcohol rehab centers.
Alcohol addiction is commonly treated with a combination of inpatient detox and counseling. Detox helps patients overcome physical dependency on alcohol and often involves the use of therapies and medications that reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and anxiety. Counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective at addressing the root psychological causes of addiction and teaching patients how to navigate daily life without relying on alcohol to cope with stress, life challenges, and negative emotions.
The better informed the public is about the dangers surrounding alcohol addiction, the better America can fight its ongoing epidemic.
