Excessive Alcohol Use: A Drain on the American Economy

The real cost of excessive alcohol use

What excessive drinking costs us
$249 billion in 2010:

• $807 per person
• $2.05 per drink

Cost breakdown

• 72% lost workplace productivity
• 11% healthcare expenses
• 10% criminal justice costs
• 5% motor vehicle crash costs

Binge drinkers account for most of the cost

$191 billion

77% 

Binge drinking is responsible for the majority of the economic cost

For men, binge drinking is 5 or more drinks consumed on one occasion. For women, binge drinking is 4 or more drinks consumed on one occasion

Who pays?

40% is paid by federal, state and local governments

Costs vary throughout states and DC

• California – Highest cost per state is $35 billion. 
• Median cost per state is $3.5 billion.
• North Dakota – Lowest cost per state $488 million.
• New Mexico – Highest cost per drink is $2.77. 
• Median cost per drink is $2.05.
• New Hampshire – Lowest cost per drink is $0.92

For strategies to reduce excessive drinking, go to: external iconwww.thecommunityguide.org/alcoholexternal icon

Excessive Alcohol Use: A Drain on the American Economy pdf icon[PDF – 3.46MB]