Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) 

Short Report | Alcohol-related ED visits

The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a public health surveillance system that monitors emerging 

trends and characteristics of substance-related emergency department (ED) visits. This report focuses on 

estimates of alcohol-related ED visits from January 2021 through September 2023.

National Summary

There were an estimated 8,566,725 ED visits related to alcohol. Alcohol was the most prevalent substance 

involved in substance-related ED visits, with twice the number of visits compared to opioids or cannabis.

National Characteristics

Rate of alcohol-related ED visits per 100,000 people 

Patterned bars are significantly* higher rates than solid bars.

AGE 

 

26 to 44 had the highest rate.

RACE 

 

Black or African-American had the highest rate.

SEX AT BIRTH 

 

Males had the highest rate.

REGION 

 

South had the lowest rate.

ETHNICITY 

 

Not Hispanic individuals had the highest rate.

* The estimate was statistically significant at a p-value less than 0.05.
Short Report | Alcohol-related ED visits 2

Polysubstance

Polysubstance is when an individual, intentionally or unintentionally, uses more than one substance 

during a short period of time. An estimated 1,692,265 ED visits were related to alcohol and at least 

one other substance.

Among alcohol-related ED visits, the majority (80%) were alcohol only. 

8 out of 10 were alcohol only. 

2 out of 10 were alcohol 

plus an additional 

substance(s). 

Among the 19% that were 

polysubstance, 1 out of 3 

reported cannabis. 

Among alcohol-related ED visits in individuals under 21 years, 31% of visits were polysubstance. 

7 out of 10 were alcohol only. 

3 out of 10 were alcohol 

plus an additional 

substance(s). 

Among the 31% that were 

polysubstance, 2 out of 3 

reported cannabis. 
Short Report | Alcohol-related ED visits 3

Clinical Diagnoses Assigned by Provider

Individuals seeking care in an ED receive diagnoses from providers. The most common diagnoses in 

alcohol-related ED visits were related to alcohol consumption such as use, intoxication, or binge drinking 

(alcohol intoxication: 37%). Alcohol use disorder (24%), a chronic condition characterized by an impaired 

ability to stop or control alcohol use, was the second highest.

 

Note: Multiple diagnoses can be assigned in a single ED visit, so percentages can add up to more than 100 percent.

Methods

ED records of participating hospitals from January 2021 through September 2023 were manually reviewed and required 

indication of alcohol involvement to be included. Data were weighted to produce nationally representative estimates. 

Unadjusted rates were calculated using the midpoint population. Pairwise t-tests and Bonferroni correction (k) were used 

to compare estimates. Significantly** means the estimate was statistically significant at a p-value less than 0.05. See 

https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/dawn-drug-abuse-warning-network for more information.

SAMHSA’s Prevention Resources

FindTreatment.gov 

Find confidential and 

anonymous resources for 

treatment for mental and 

substance use disorders

Community Policies for Prevention 

of Alcohol Misuse 

Guide of key policies for the 

prevention of alcohol misuse that have 

been identified as evidence-based by 

robust scientific literature

Find Support 

Find healthcare or 

support for issues with 

mental health, drugs, 

or alcohol

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 

Call or text 988 if you 

or someone you know is 

struggling or in crisis for free 

and confidential support 

available 24/7