With the rise of the opioid epidemic experts say another long-term problem in Kentucky could be overlooked. Alcohol use disorder on average, contributes to over 22-hundred deaths in the commonwealth each year. Kentucky taxpayers spent nearly 3-point-2 billion- dollars because of excessive alcohol use in 2010; adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to 4-point-3-billion-dollars.
Jason Merrick is a vice president with Addiction Recovery Care, and he said excessive use of alcohol can lead to many other health problems.
“Mental health issues, other behavioral health issues always are coinciding with alcohol use disorders like depression and anxiety. Then you have physical issues, high blood pressure is always a concern for people who are drinking excessively.”
Merrick said the stigma surrounding excessive alcohol use is also a killer.
“Being afraid to talk about this with your loved ones, being afraid to share this information about your use, that is what kills more people than anything is that shame and that stigma.”
If you or someone you know needs help with addiction the state of Kentucky offers a toll-free hotline - 1-833-8KY-HELP
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