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Teenage Drinking & the Effect it Has on Hospitals

40 percent of young adults who start drinking before the age of 15 are more likely to have dependence on alcohol (Teen Alcoholism). In many cases, alcohol dependence can lead to hospitalization for short term or chronic conditions.

  1. Definitions

    • Drinking leads to the risk of both alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Doctor Nordqvist explains that alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that involves failure to carry out resposibilies at work, school, or home; drinking in dangerous situations, legal problems and continued drinking despite ongoing problems in relationships with others. Alcoholism occurs when the body is "addicted to alcohol." He explains that these people are obsessed with alcohol and can't control their consumption.

    Significance

    • Both short-term and chronic drinking can lead to serious implications, one of which is hospitalization. In the United Kingdom, 40 percent of emergency hospital admittances are alcohol-related. According to a study done at the Universite de Montreal and the University of Wester Ontario, men who drink 22 or more units of alcohol a week have a 20 percent higher rate of admissions into acute-care hospitals than people who don't imbibe. (A unit is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor or 80-proof spirits.

    Cost Factors

    • Statistical data confirm that a hospital visit is far from cheap. According to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the average expenses for an emergency room visit in Massachusetts is $1,038. For those aged 45-to-64, the cost goes up to $1,539. Those without insurance pay about 45 percent out-of-pocket while those with insurance pay less than 5 percent out-of-pocket. Costs are higher in California and other states where the cost of living is higher. For patients with chronic conditions, hospital stays are even more costly. The average daily cost is $420, according to Daily Policy Digest. In the United States, the cost of office expenses is $561 per person, according to the National Center of Policy Analysis. There is an additional cost of $487 per person to cover hospital billing and administration.

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