The Impact of Alcoholism on Society

The Impact of Alcoholism on Society Addiction Alcohol Use Print The Impact of Alcoholism on Society By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Updated on September 20, 2019 Richard Hutchings / Getty Images More in Addiction Alcohol Use Binge Drinking Withdrawal and Relapse Children of Alcoholics Drunk Driving Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery The real-world impact of alcohol abuse reaches far beyond the financial costs. When a loved one has a problem with alcohol, it can affect their marriage and their extended family. Theres also the larger impact on the community, schools, the workplace, the health care system and on society as a whole. How Alcoholism Affects Society Approximately 14 million people in the United States meet the criteria for severe alcohol use disorders and alcohol is involved in more than 88,000 deaths per year. But its not necessarily people who have alcohol addiction having the biggest impact on these figures. Its estimated that more than 75 percent of the cost of excessive alcohol consumption in the U.S. is due to binge drinking, and most binge drinkers are not alcohol-dependent. Financial Costs of Alcoholism According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cost of excessive alcohol use in the U.S. alone exceeds $200 billion annually. More than 70 percent of that is attributed to binge drinking, defined as four or more alcoholic beverages per occasion for women or five or more drinks per occasion for men. The CDC estimates that 40 percent of the cost of excessive alcohol consumption is paid by federal, state, and local governments. The biggest cost is loss of workplace productivity. Healthcare costs, crime and law enforcement, as well as motor vehicle crashes are also among the top alcohol-related expenses. The CDC estimates that these figures are all underestimated because alcohols involvement in sickness, injury, and death is not always available or reported. These figures also do not include some medical and mental health conditions that are the result of alcohol abuse. Also not included in these figures are the work days that family members miss due to the alcohol problems of a loved one. Healthcare Costs of Alcohol Abuse Alcohol consumption is a risk factor in 25 chronic diseases and conditions, and alcohol plays a significant role in certain cancers, psychiatric conditions, and numerous cardiovascular and digestive diseases. Additionally, alcohol consumption can increase the risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. The majority of the estimated $28 billion spent each year on alcohol-related health care  goes toward the treatment of unintentional and intentional alcohol-related injuries. How Alcohol Intoxication Increases Injury Risk Alcohol-Related Aggression and Violence Along with unintentional injury, alcohol plays a significant role in intentional injuries as a result of aggression and violence. Alcohol has been linked to physical violence by a variety of research studies. On top of the healthcare cost of alcohol-related intentional violence in the United States, the estimated annual cost to the criminal justice system is another estimated $25 billion. Effect of Alcoholism on the Family The social impact of alcohol abuse is a separate issue from the financial costs involved, and that impact begins in the home, extends into the community, and often affects society as a whole, much like the financial impact does. Alcoholism as a Family Disease Research on the effects of alcohol abuse on families shows that alcohol abuse and addiction plays a role in intimate partner violence, causes families financial problems, impairs decision-making skills, and plays a role in child neglect and abuse. As with the financial costs of alcohol abuse, studies have found occasional binge drinking can affect families also. One study revealed that spousal violence is more likely not only when a partner is alcohol dependent or a problem drinker, but also when the partner is an infrequent drinker who occasionally drinks heavily. Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Children Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of the most common direct consequences of parental alcohol use in the United States, caused by alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy. Children with FAS display a variety of symptoms, many of which are life-long and permanent. Children who grow up in a home with a loved one dealing with alcohol addiction may be affected as well; they are likely to develop alcohol use disorders themselves. Growing up in a home where at least one parent has a severe alcohol use disorder can increase a childs chances of developing psychological and emotional problems. Challenges Faced by Children of Alcoholics