America's Most Problematic Drug Is Alcohol
America's Most Problematic Drug Is Alcohol  
Podcast: After the Fact
Published On: Fri Oct 17 2025
Description: While opioid use disorder dominates headlines, alcohol quietly remains America's most problematic—and overlooked—drug. Nearly 30 million people are estimated to have alcohol use disorder. In this episode of "After the Fact," Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, an addiction medicine specialist, and Pew's Frances McGaffey discuss the latest trends related to alcohol use, its normalization in American culture, and the evolving science behind its risks.