TV commercials, magazine ads, and billboards make drinking alcoholic beverages seem so cool. Gorgeous women and handsome men are shown getting together, having a wonderful time. Whether they are drinking beer, wine or spirits, they are laughing, they are relaxing and love never seems to be far away.
Reality paints a different picture. The cost of alcoholism to the economy is in the region of 134 billion dollars each year. Domestic violence, road accidents, alcohol-related illness and job loss all weigh heavy on the economy. Yet less than half of the expenses are born by the alcohol drinkers, the government and private insurance companies pay the bills.
Some men and women who indulge in too much alcohol are known for violence against their spouses. Some spouses suffer so badly they have to see a doctor or worse, be hospitalized. Every bed taken by an alcohol abuse victim is one bed less for a patient who may need that space for a non-alcohol related illness or accident.
Although many warnings are giving about driving under the influence of alcohol, some people still get behind the wheel of their car. In 2008 there were no less than 37,261 fatalities of which 13,846 were alcohol-related. Not all accidents are fatal though, some cause major or minor injuries, putting innocent victims in hospital, keeping them away from their jobs or putting them on disability.
The cost calculated for the treatment of medical consequences of alcohol is estimated at some 6.3 billion dollars, with an additional 500 million for the training of medical staff. Consequences include injuries of abuse, psychological treatment, and treatment for liver cancer.
In addition, there is the cost of research. Research why homes in areas with easier access to alcohol suffer more domestic abuse; what drives employees to excessive drinking; treatment for alcohol-related cancer; the effect of alcohol on unborn babies; and early death due to alcohol.
The cost of alcoholism to the economy is also felt in the criminal justice system. Some 10.5 billion is spent on alcohol-related court cases and imprisoned alcohol abusers. In turn, the rise in alcohol-related car accidents has an effect on insurance companies and higher cost premiums.
To fight the cost of alcoholism to the economy, environmental prevention has been proven to work. By reducing access to alcohol, banning alcohol promotion ads and stricter laws on alcohol abuse billions of dollars can be saved.
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