Most of us know that alcohol abuse causes conflict and problems in families throughout the country. And you may know that individuals and families spend millions of dollars each year on the effects of the disease of alcoholism. But do we know just how big of an impact on our economy alcoholism has?

When measuring the cost of alcohol abuse in the U.S., we have to consider such things as health services and medical expenses, premature death, loss of productivity, and alcohol related crimes. In total, the U.S. economy loses an estimated $185 billion each year to alcohol-related problems, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.(2)

Drunk Driving Costs

Drunk driving is a sensitive subject to many people because so many lives have been affected by this crime. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and nonfatally injure someone every two minutes. During 2005, 16,885 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, comprising 39% of all traffic-related deaths. (1)

Medical and Social Costs

Alcohol inflicts costs in many other ways as well. Alcohol abusers are medically at risk for liver damage, brain damage, and cancer, as well as causing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in pregnant women. Alcohol is often a factor in homicides and suicides. Crimes caused by individuals influenced by alcohol put a strain on the criminal justice system, and inflict costs for police officers, legal fees, and property repair.

Workplace Costs

Another large portion of the cost to the economy is the impact on employers by their alcohol-abusing employees. Health care costs have already skyrocketed, and because of the increased risk of medical problems with alcoholics, these individuals will incur higher health care costs.

Absences are another issue for employers. Because of poor health, hangovers, or other alcohol related problems, alcohol abusers are more likely to miss work than many of their co-workers.

Finally, loss of productivity is a strain businesses have to manage with employees that abuse alcohol. Even if an alcoholic is present at work and not drinking, their performance at work can often be compromised by hangovers, health complications, lack of focus, or psychiatric issues.

Treatment and Prevention

A smaller portion of the cost on the economy is the money that is spent on the treatment and prevention of alcoholism. Estimates indicate that corporations spend less than 0.1 percent of their total healthcare bill on treatment, but businesses end up paying much more for the consequences of untreated alcohol abuse.(2) New approaches need to be made in order to successfully admit into treatment those affected by alcoholism. We need to keep in mind that alcohol abuse hurts not only the individual or the family, but businesses and society as well. We must encourage alcohol abusers and alcoholics to find the right treatment program for their success.

(1) Effects of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse June 2007 Health A to Z

(2) Alcohol Abuse Costing U.S. Economy $185 Billion Each Year Apr 17, 2007

(3) Seven Tools to Lowering the Business Costs of Alcohol Problems Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems

(4) Cray, Dan Alcohol Abuse Saps Nation’s Economy, Researchers Say USC News
05/03/93

A huge debate erupted this past week over the legal drinking age in the United States. The debate was sparked by John McCardell (former Middlebury College President) and his Choose Responsibility organization’s call to discuss this issue. More than 100 college presidents are now on board with the initiative, which asks the public to consider a lowering of the legal drinking age.

McCardell and his supporters argue that the current drinking age of 21 encourages young college students (who are going to drink anyway) to hide their drinking; putting them more at risk than if the drinking age was lowered. Supporters of the initiative agree that college officials and parents have a hard time teaching 18-20 year olds about safe drinking when legally this age group isn’t supposed to be drinking. By bringing the issue out into the open and making drinking legal at 18, these supporters believe that they can more effectively educate this age group about making responsible choices about alcohol.

Supporters of lowering the drinking age also argue that 18-20 year olds are allowed to vote and serve in the military, and forbidding them to consume alcohol seems hypocritical and degrading.

Choose Responsibility plans to continue to push for this discussion throughout the country, and they have come up with a plan on how this will all work. The “Amethyst Initiative” is the group’s alcohol education program, which allows for drinking licenses to be issued to 18-20 year olds who successfully complete the program, similar to drivers’ education. Teens who drink before they turn 18 would lose their right to apply for the alcohol license.

Not everyone is convinced. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has lead the way for the critics, claiming that these college officials on the list of supporters are taking the easy way out instead of enforcing laws on their campuses. MADD has called for these college presidents to remove their names from the list and partner with law enforcement to come up with real solutions.

Also taking a stand against the initiative is the National Transportation Safety Board, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, who say that lowering the drinking age would “jeopardize the lives of more teens”. These organizations maintain that increasing the drinking age to 21 in the 70’s and 80’s has nationally saved 1000 lives a year.

Critics of lowering the drinking age say that the way to handle alcohol abuse in 18-20 year olds is to enforce the 21 drinking age and have stricter consequences for adults and establishments providing alcohol to individuals under 21. Another key issue according to these opponents is that colleges need to seriously consider the environment found on their campuses and work to do away with the “college is for drinking” attitude found all too often.

The timing is significant for this whole debate. A 1984 federal law restricts a state’s access to federal highway funds if it sets a drinking age lower than 21, which quickly lead to all states raising their drinking ages to 21. This law is up for reauthorization next year, and there will be much more discussion until that time.

Enos, Gary A. Drinking age law vaults into debate Addiction Professional 8/21/2008

The Right Age for Drinking editorial Washington Post.com August 24, 2008

Henson, Scott The case for lowering the legal drinking age Dallas News.com August 23, 2008

Pope, Justin College presidents spark debate on drinking age Associated Press August 22, 2008

Alcohol abuse is defined as the use of alcoholic beverages to excess, either on individual occasions (”binge drinking”) or as a regular practice. Alcohol abusers may not be addicted to alcohol, but their drinking leads to things such as driving while intoxicated, poor performance in job or school, getting in trouble with the law due to intoxication, and continued drinking even though the above situations may have occurred.

Alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism in that abusers do not have the strong cravings for alcohol that alcoholics have, and they are not physically dependant on alcohol. They may, however continuously put themselves in bad situations because of their use of alcohol. Because alcohol abusers do have more control over their drinking habits than an alcoholic does, they may appear to some to simply exhibit poor judgment because of the problems their drinking causes. However, many people who abuse alcohol do eventually become alcoholics.

Side effects

Alcohol abuse can cause problems in the abuser’s family life, in their reputation with law enforcement (DWI, domestic disputes, arguments and fights), with their health (cancer, high blood pressure, liver problems, brain damage), and with their jobs. The abuse of alcohol causes poor judgment, mood swings, and lack of productivity, making it difficult to function in everyday life.

Treatment

Alcohol abuse can be treated, and there are many support groups and treatment facilities to help alcohol abusers and alcoholics get their life back on track. The first step in getting help is for the alcohol abuser to come to the realization that they have a drinking problem. Family members can help make the abuser aware of how their drinking is affecting others by being specific in their conversations about the alcohol abuse. It is easier for an abuser to seek help when they are confronted with the harm their alcohol use causes others.

Once the alcohol abuser resolves to find treatment for their alcohol abuse, they can be encouraged by the hope of successful treatment. The earlier the treatment, the more likely it is to be successful. The more motivated a person is to get treatment for alcohol abuse, the better the chances are for them to remain sober. With the support of family members, co-workers, and friends, an individual is more likely to stay in treatment and overcome the alcohol abuse. Support groups like Alcoholic Anonymous aid in the recovery process by giving patients the opportunity to help each other stay sober.