Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSocietyFinancial CostAggression and ViolenceImpact on the Family

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Society

Financial Cost

Aggression and Violence

Impact on the Family

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.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use costs the U.S. almost a quarter trillion dollars a year.Economic costs are one part of the toll, but there are also other societal issues that are tied to alcohol use.

At a GlanceThe 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. There’s also a larger impact on the community, schools, the workplace, the healthcare system, and society as a whole.

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. There’s also a larger impact on the community, schools, the workplace, the healthcare system, and society as a whole.

How Alcohol Affects Society

Alcohol use can affect society in terms of:

Such costs are often linked to those who have alcohol use disorders. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 29.5 million people over the age of 12 (10.6% of the population) had an alcohol use disorder in the past year.Estimates suggest that approximately 13.9% of people in the United States will meet the criteria forsevere alcohol use disorderin their lifetimes.

However, it’s not necessarily people with alcohol addiction having the biggest impact on these figures. It’s estimated that 77% of the cost of excessive alcohol consumption in the U.S. is due tobinge drinking, and most binge drinkers are not alcohol dependent.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that 140,000 people die each year due to alcohol-related causes. Alcohol is the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the U.S.

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 reaches $249 billion annually. Around 77% of that is attributed tobinge drinking, defined as four or more alcoholic beverages per occasion for women or five or more drinks per occasion for men.

The CDC suggests that the most significant economic costs of alcohol use are due to the following:Lost workplace productivity (72% of the total cost)Healthcare expenses (11% of the total cost)Criminal justice expenses (10% of the total cost)Motor vehicle crash expenses (5% of the total cost)

The CDC suggests that the most significant economic costs of alcohol use are due to the following:

The CDC estimates that these figures are all underestimated because alcohol’s involvement in sickness, injury, and death is not always available or reported. These figures also do not include some medical andmental health conditionsthat 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 Expense of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol consumption is a risk factorin numerous 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.

An estimated $28 billion is spent each year on alcohol-related health care.

How Alcohol Intoxication Increases Injury Risk

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 $25 billion.

Impact 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.

Research on the effects of alcohol abuse on families shows that alcohol abuse and addiction play a role in intimate partner violence, cause families' financial problems, impair decision-making skills, and play a role in child neglect and abuse.

Long-term alcohol use leads to changes in the brain that affect decision-making, emotional processing, and self-control, making people who drink more susceptible to aggression and violence.According to the U.S. Department of Justice, alcohol makes intimate partner violence more frequent and severe.

As with the financial costs of alcohol abuse, studies have found occasional binge drinking can also affect families. Research suggests that the risk of intimate partner violence rises not only in the context of frequent drinking but also when a partner has consumed a large volume of drinks in one sitting.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Alcoholism as a Family Disease

Alcohol Abuse and Children

Children who grow up in a home with a loved one dealing with alcohol addiction may be affected as well; they are at significant risk of developing alcohol use disorders themselves.

Growing up in a home where at least one parent has a severe alcohol use disorder can increase a child’s chances of developing psychological and emotional problems.

The Bottom LineAlcohol’s effects go beyond it’s effects on individual health and well-being; it also has steep economic and societal costs. 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. Increased violence, injuries, accidents, child abuse, and intimate partner violence are all linked to alcohol use.

The Bottom Line

Alcohol’s effects go beyond it’s effects on individual health and well-being; it also has steep economic and societal costs. 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. Increased violence, injuries, accidents, child abuse, and intimate partner violence are all linked to alcohol use.

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive drinking is draining the U.S. economy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age groups and demographic characteristics.Grant BF, Goldstein RB, Saha TD, et al.Epidemiology ofDSM-5Alcohol Use Disorder: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III.JAMA Psychiatry.2015;72(8):757-766. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0584Esser MB, Hedden SL, Kanny D, Brewer RD, Gfroerer JC, Naimi TS.Prevalence of Alcohol Dependence Among US Adult Drinkers, 2009-2011.Prev Chronic Dis.2014;11:E206. doi:10.5888/pcd11.140329National 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.Wilson IM, Graham K, Taft A.Alcohol interventions, alcohol policy and intimate partner violence: a systematic review.BMC Public Health.2014;14:881. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-881Lander L, Howsare J, Byrne M.The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: From theory to practice.Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):194-205. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.759005Sontate KV, Rahim Kamaluddin M, Naina Mohamed I, et al.Alcohol, aggression, and violence: From public health to neuroscience.Front Psychol. 2021;12:699726. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699726U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.Who facts on: Intimate partner violence and alcohol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics about FASDS.Moss HB.The impact of alcohol on society: A brief overview.Soc Work Public Health.2013;28(3-4):175-177. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.758987Additional ReadingSacks JJ, Gonzales KR, Bouchery EE, Tomedi LE, Brewer RD.2010 National and State Costs of Excessive Alcohol Consumption.Am J Prev Med. 2015;49(5):e73-e79. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.05.031

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive drinking is draining the U.S. economy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age groups and demographic characteristics.Grant BF, Goldstein RB, Saha TD, et al.Epidemiology ofDSM-5Alcohol Use Disorder: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III.JAMA Psychiatry.2015;72(8):757-766. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0584Esser MB, Hedden SL, Kanny D, Brewer RD, Gfroerer JC, Naimi TS.Prevalence of Alcohol Dependence Among US Adult Drinkers, 2009-2011.Prev Chronic Dis.2014;11:E206. doi:10.5888/pcd11.140329National 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.Wilson IM, Graham K, Taft A.Alcohol interventions, alcohol policy and intimate partner violence: a systematic review.BMC Public Health.2014;14:881. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-881Lander L, Howsare J, Byrne M.The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: From theory to practice.Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):194-205. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.759005Sontate KV, Rahim Kamaluddin M, Naina Mohamed I, et al.Alcohol, aggression, and violence: From public health to neuroscience.Front Psychol. 2021;12:699726. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699726U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.Who facts on: Intimate partner violence and alcohol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics about FASDS.Moss HB.The impact of alcohol on society: A brief overview.Soc Work Public Health.2013;28(3-4):175-177. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.758987Additional ReadingSacks JJ, Gonzales KR, Bouchery EE, Tomedi LE, Brewer RD.2010 National and State Costs of Excessive Alcohol Consumption.Am J Prev Med. 2015;49(5):e73-e79. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.05.031

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive drinking is draining the U.S. economy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age groups and demographic characteristics.Grant BF, Goldstein RB, Saha TD, et al.Epidemiology ofDSM-5Alcohol Use Disorder: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III.JAMA Psychiatry.2015;72(8):757-766. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0584Esser MB, Hedden SL, Kanny D, Brewer RD, Gfroerer JC, Naimi TS.Prevalence of Alcohol Dependence Among US Adult Drinkers, 2009-2011.Prev Chronic Dis.2014;11:E206. doi:10.5888/pcd11.140329National 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.Wilson IM, Graham K, Taft A.Alcohol interventions, alcohol policy and intimate partner violence: a systematic review.BMC Public Health.2014;14:881. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-881Lander L, Howsare J, Byrne M.The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: From theory to practice.Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):194-205. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.759005Sontate KV, Rahim Kamaluddin M, Naina Mohamed I, et al.Alcohol, aggression, and violence: From public health to neuroscience.Front Psychol. 2021;12:699726. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699726U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.Who facts on: Intimate partner violence and alcohol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics about FASDS.Moss HB.The impact of alcohol on society: A brief overview.Soc Work Public Health.2013;28(3-4):175-177. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.758987

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive drinking is draining the U.S. economy.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age groups and demographic characteristics.

Grant BF, Goldstein RB, Saha TD, et al.Epidemiology ofDSM-5Alcohol Use Disorder: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III.JAMA Psychiatry.2015;72(8):757-766. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0584

Esser MB, Hedden SL, Kanny D, Brewer RD, Gfroerer JC, Naimi TS.Prevalence of Alcohol Dependence Among US Adult Drinkers, 2009-2011.Prev Chronic Dis.2014;11:E206. 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.

Wilson IM, Graham K, Taft A.Alcohol interventions, alcohol policy and intimate partner violence: a systematic review.BMC Public Health.2014;14:881. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-881

Lander L, Howsare J, Byrne M.The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: From theory to practice.Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):194-205. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.759005

Sontate KV, Rahim Kamaluddin M, Naina Mohamed I, et al.Alcohol, aggression, and violence: From public health to neuroscience.Front Psychol. 2021;12:699726. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699726

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.Who facts on: Intimate partner violence and alcohol.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics about FASDS.

Moss HB.The impact of alcohol on society: A brief overview.Soc Work Public Health.2013;28(3-4):175-177. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.758987

Sacks JJ, Gonzales KR, Bouchery EE, Tomedi LE, Brewer RD.2010 National and State Costs of Excessive Alcohol Consumption.Am J Prev Med. 2015;49(5):e73-e79. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.05.031

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