Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on deaths from excessive drinking shows that rates among women are climbing faster than they are among men. The Biden administration considers this trend alarming, with one new estimate predicting women will account for close to half of alcohol-associated liver disease costs in the U.S. by 2040, a $66 billion total price tag.

Historically, alcohol use disorder has disproportionately affected men. But the growing trend of women drinking excessively has caught the attention of health officials. Women like Karla Adkins are a testament to the impact of alcohol abuse on their health. Nearly a decade ago, Adkins faced liver failure at the age of 36 due to heavy drinking. The prospect of staying sober was more terrifying to her than the health implications of her alcohol abuse.

More than 600,000 people in the U.S. died from causes related to alcohol from 1999 to 2020, positioning alcohol among the leading causes of preventable death in the country. The World Health Organization and various studies have found that no amount of alcohol is safe for human health, with even light drinking linked to health concerns like hypertension, coronary artery disease, and an increased risk of cancer.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated binge-drinking, especially among women who turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Marketing strategies for alcoholic beverages have increasingly targeted women, with the rise of products like rosé and low-calorie wines catering to female consumers. The emergence of “mommy wine culture” on social media has also normalized excessive drinking as a way to deal with the stress of motherhood.

Public health experts are concerned about the rising costs associated with alcohol-related liver disease among women. Women are projected to account for a significant portion of these costs by 2040, highlighting the need for interventions and awareness campaigns. National dietary guidelines recommend women to limit their alcohol consumption to one drink a day, but with the changing landscape of alcohol marketing and social norms, addressing excessive drinking among women remains a challenging task.

Stephanie Garbarino, a transplant hepatologist at Duke Health, notes that many patients are unaware of how their drinking habits impact their health. The prevalence of alcohol-related liver disease among young adults, including those in their 20s and 30s, is a growing concern for healthcare professionals.

As the Biden administration and public health agencies work towards addressing the issue of excessive drinking among women, individuals like Karla Adkins are advocating for change. Adkins now serves as a coach to help others quit drinking and hopes to change the narrative around alcohol consumption. Despite living with cirrhosis, she has been sober for close to a decade, inspiring others to seek help and make positive lifestyle changes.

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