NC alcohol abuse and hospitalization rates are on the rise 

ANDREW SEAMAN | UNSPLASH

Hospitalizations and deaths connected to alcohol abuse in North Carolina have spiked over the last four years, according the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Alcohol-related hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise in North Carolina.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in 2024, more than 5,600 deaths and 68,000 emergency department visits recorded were due to alcohol usage. The data points show higher rates of alcohol-related harms compared to previous years. 

A WFAE report found that over the past four years, the number of alcohol-related hospitalizations has risen annually. By the end of 2026 it is projected there will be more than 10,000 visits. 

“The last information we have is about 178,000 deaths annually,” said Dr. Allin Vesa, emergency department medical director at Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital. “That was for 2020 to 2021 on average, and that’s attributable to excess alcohol use we see in the U.S. … so 4.2 million U.S. emergency department visits involving alcohol, and that was in 2022. And we see this probably on a daily basis in the ED locally.”

Vesa said there’s been an increase in alcohol-related illnesses post-COVID.

“I think a lot of it has to do with probably stress and isolation,” he said, “but people are delaying their medical care more than they have in the past, so allowing chronic disease to progress, and probably the cumulative effects of long-term alcohol consumption are just catching up with them.”

Vesa emphasized stress and isolation are factors in alcohol-related illness, but another could be hereditary. 

“I think one thing we need to keep in mind is that there is no particular demographic,” he said.  “I think alcohol [abuse] comes from all walks of life. We see it in every demographic. From my perspective as an emergency physician, I mainly focus on illness, treating its complications, and helping patients access the care that they need. Certainly stress. Certainly work-related, family issues. Alcoholism is considered a disease, so it does tend to run in the family as well. Those are all contributing factors.

“In terms of what are the most common alcohol-related emergencies we see in the ER, there's certainly acute intoxication, and those symptoms include altered mental status, falls, injuries.” 

Quitting cold turkey can cause other health issues like hallucinations, seizures and other withdrawal symptoms. But there are programs to help. 

“Ultimately, it’s going to be long-term weaning off alcohol,” Vesa said. “It's going to be long-term preventing these complications, but then ultimately getting into a program where they stay off it. And there are programs inpatient, there are programs outpatient. It all depends on the severity, and it all depends on the willingness because it’s not easy.”

For anyone feeling stressed, or isolated to the point of drinking, Vesa urges them to seek assistance. 

“Ask for help,” he said. “Do not isolate yourself; ask for help. If you don’t have anyone, then certainly seek care from your local primary care physician, clinic or ER. We have resources where you can get you plugged in to the right inpatient or outpatient facility that will get you on the right path. Whether that is behavior, psychiatric, whether that is therapy, there are resources in the community that can help you.”

Comments