Alcoholism & Treatment Statistics by Profession
Alcohol Abuse Is a Serious Problem in the US
The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) reported that the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 26.9 percent of adults, ages 18 and older, reported binge drinking at least once per month, and 7 percent reported heavy alcohol consumption in the past month.
Since 2001, abuse of alcohol in the United States has skyrocketed. A new report suggests that Americans underreport their alcohol consumption, so as many as 30 million people could participate in binge drinking at least once per week. Similar numbers of people report alcohol abuse or dependence. In general, more men than women abuse alcohol, but that gap is closing, as the number of female problem drinkers has increased more than any other group since 2001. Adolescent alcohol abuse has declined, but adult alcohol abuse is on the rise.
Professions with the Highest Rates of Alcohol Abuse
Data gathered by SAMHSA outlines the professions that experience the highest rates of alcohol abuse.
- Lawyers: Some reports suggest as many as one in five attorneys struggles with problem drinking, including binge and heavy drinking. This is twice the national rate.
- Nurses and other healthcare professionals: About 4 percent of healthcare and social assistance professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, and case managers, reported heavy alcohol consumption in the prior month. A 2014 study found that 15.3 percent of physicians, specifically, struggled with alcohol abuse or dependence. A 2012 survey found that, in a self-reported survey of alcohol consumption patterns, over 15 percent of surgeons who responded had scores consistent with alcohol abuse or dependence.
- Mining: These workers showed the highest rates of heavy alcohol use, with 17.5 percent of those in the mining industry reporting past-month heavy drinking.
- Construction: In the month prior to the survey, 16.5 percent of those working in the construction field drank heavily.
- Hospitality and food services: Among those working in hotels, restaurants, bars, and related locales, 11.8 percent drank heavily in the prior month.
- Arts and entertainment: Among entertainers, artists, and those working in recreational industries, 11.5 percent reported drinking heavily in the prior month.
- Management: About 9 percent of white-collar professionals in management positions reported heavy consumption of alcohol in the past month.
- Real estate: About 5 percent of individuals working in real estate, leasing, and rental professions reported struggling with heavy alcohol consumption in the month before the survey.
- Finance and insurance: Among people who work in the financial and insurance sectors, 7.4 percent reported drinking heavily in the prior month.
- Educational services: Among teachers, school administrators, professors, tutors, substitute teachers, and others in the education field, 4.7 percent reported heavily abusing alcohol in the month before the survey.
Understanding Problem Drinking
Moderate drinking is not well understood in the US. Many people may self-report that they drink moderately when they actually consume alcohol heavily or participate in binge drinking too often. Standard serving sizes of alcohol are:
- 12 ounces of beer, or one bottle
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of liquor or spirits, which is about one shot
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