US Alcohol-related Deaths Have Doubled Since 1999

In a paper published yesterday in the Alcoholism journal, it was revealed that the number of Americans who died of alcohol-related causes doubled between 1999 and 2017.

I have no clue why this happened. Surely it can't have something to do with a poor majority being ruled by a rich minority, right? That would be irresponsible to point out as a cause, correct?