The National Center for Alcohol Statistics (NCAS) is an independent research organization that aggregates and presents alcohol-related statistical data for public informational use. This page explains how we source data, how it is presented, and the limitations you should be aware of when interpreting our statistics.
Our Data Sources
All statistics published on this website are drawn from reports, surveys, and databases produced by established federal health and research agencies. Our primary sources include:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) The NIAAA is the world’s largest funder of alcohol research and a component of the National Institutes of Health. It publishes the Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, the Surveillance Report series, and the Apparent Per Capita Alcohol Consumption dataset, which track consumption, health outcomes, and economic impacts over time.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) SAMHSA conducts the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the largest nationally representative household survey on substance use in the United States. Data from SAMHSA informs our figures on prevalence, disorder rates, and treatment utilization.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) provides mortality data, cause-of-death records, and chronic disease surveillance. We draw on CDC data for statistics related to alcohol-attributable deaths, alcohol-impaired driving, and liver disease mortality.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Beyond NIAAA, we reference peer-reviewed research published by NIH-funded investigators where noted in individual articles.
Other Sources Where indicated in individual fact sheets, we may also reference data from state health departments, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and academic publications. All such sources are cited within the relevant articles.
How We Present Data
NCAS does not generate primary research or conduct original surveys. Our role is to locate, verify, and communicate data that already exists in the public record. When presenting statistics, we aim to:
- Cite the specific report, survey year, and agency for each figure
- Explain methodology limitations noted by the source agency where relevant
- Indicate clearly when figures are estimates, projections, or modeled outputs rather than directly observed counts
- Flag data that has been revised or superseded since initial publication
Figures on this site may differ from other published sources due to differences in survey methodology, population definitions, revision cycles, or the specific year cited. Where possible, we link to the underlying source so you can verify figures independently.
Timeliness of Data
Federal health data is typically published with a lag of one to three years from the reference year. The statistics we present reflect the most recent data available at the time each article was written or last reviewed. Individual articles include the data year in their citations.
We periodically review and update articles as new datasets become available. The publication date on each fact sheet reflects its most recent revision.
Not Medical Advice
No content on this website should be construed as medical advice, clinical guidance, or a recommendation for any course of treatment. Statistics about population-level drinking patterns, disease rates, or mortality risk do not constitute advice about your personal health.
If you have concerns about alcohol use — for yourself or someone you know — please consult a licensed healthcare professional. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides free, confidential support and referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
No Government Affiliation
The National Center for Alcohol Statistics is an independent organization and is not affiliated with, funded by, or endorsed by any federal, state, or local government agency. Our use of publicly available government data does not imply any official relationship with the agencies that produce that data.
Accuracy and Corrections
We take care to present data accurately, but errors can occur. If you identify a factual inaccuracy in any of our published statistics, we welcome corrections. Please contact us through our contact form with the specific claim in question and a reference to the primary source data. We will review and correct confirmed errors promptly.
Use of Our Content
Content on this site may be referenced and cited with attribution to NCAS (alcoholabusestatistics.org). See our Terms of Use for full details on permitted and restricted uses.