Negative Effects of Alcoholism on American Society

The U.S. Justice Department agrees with a study published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation at Princeton in February of 2001, that substance abuse is the nation's number one health problem. And alcohol tops the list of abused substances. And aside from health, other problems from alcoholism spill over into the rest of society, with dangers on the highway, problems in the workplace and problems in the family.

• Alcoholism and Its Effects

Health Problems and Costs

• Although it has been concluded by the the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that moderate drinking has health benefits, it's also clear that binge and excessive drinking is extremely damaging to health. Long-term problems can include severe mental problems, liver damage including cirrhosis, stroke, cancer, DT's (delirium tremens) and even death. The Marin Institute reports that "annual health care expenditures for alcohol-related problems amount to $22.5 billion. The total cost of alcohol problems is $175.9 billion a year (compared to $114.2 billion for other drug problems and $137 billion for smoking)."

Costs in the Workplace

• Learn-About-Alcoholism.com reports that "according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the cost of alcoholism in the workplace ranges from $33 billion to $68 billion a year with absenteeism estimated to be four to eight times greater among alcoholics and alcohol abusers." And workplace accidents caused by the alcoholic not only endanger himself but also fellow employees. Consequently, many employers adopt strict policies, including alcohol and drug testing procedures and education programs, all of which have their costs.

Alcohol and Driving

• Although alcohol related traffic accidents are on the decline, it is still a serious problem. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that "on average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk-driving related crashes---a decline of 9.8 percent from the 13,041 drunk driving related fatalities of 2007." Further, three out of ten "Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives," and "fifty to seventy-five percent of drunk drivers whose licenses are suspended continue to drive." So clearly the alcoholic behind the wheel is still a threat to society.

Family Problems

• People under the effects of alcohol are unreasonable and cannot communicate well. So any family member who drinks heavily becomes two-faced, behaving in one manner while sober, and in another manner when drunk. Family members cannot depend on a person who is constantly changing like this, and such irrational behavior can lead to emotional problems in other family members, but especially children. Alcoholic teenagers not only cause grave concern for their parents, they also are unable to contribute to the emotional support or stability of their siblings. Further, a child who grows up in an alcoholic family is far more likely to become an alcoholic themselves.

Alcoholism and Other Crime

• Alcoholics Victorious reports the following statistics concerning other crimes related to alcohol. Alcohol was involved in at least 34 percent of all murder cases. More than half of rapists had been drinking. Mothers convicted of child abuse are three times more likely to be alcoholic, and fathers, ten times more likely. Thirty-six percent of suicide victims had been drinking. Heavy drinking is involved in 60 percent of violent crimes, and 80 percent of fire and drowning accidents.