Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among U.S. adults.
Alcohol use is associated with a wide range of health risks and other problems for individuals.
But the costs of alcohol don’t just affect the person drinking.
Richard Hutchings / Getty Images
At a Glance
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.
However, it’s not necessarily people with alcohol addiction having the biggest impact on these figures.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that 140,000 people die each year due to alcohol-related causes.
These figures also do not include some medical andmental health conditionsthat are the result of alcohol abuse.
An estimated $28 billion is spent each year on alcohol-related health care.
Alcohol has beenlinked to physical violenceby a variety of research studies.
As with the financial costs of alcohol abuse, studies have found occasional binge drinking can also affect families.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
The excess use of alcohol leads to billions in lost productivity and healthcare costs.
It also has a heavy strain on families, communities, and society as a whole.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive drinking is draining the U.S. economy.
doi:10.5888/pcd11.140329
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol-related emergencies and deaths in the United States.
Rehm J.The Risks Associated With Alcohol Use and Alcoholism.Alcohol Res Health.
2011;34(2):135-143.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The cost of excessive alcohol use.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics about FASDS.
2015;49(5):e73-e79.
