As the studies presented in this review demonstrate, sizable increases in alcoholic beverage taxes can be a highly effective option for reducing the health, economic, and social consequences of alcohol use and abuse. While our search was systematic and we did not rely only on standard databases but also on expertise from other researchers, we may not have identified all relevant studies, which are often only published on government the twelve steps alcoholics anonymous websites. Furthermore, the conclusions of any systematic review can only be as good as the underlying studies. As the risk assessment indicated, the overall quality of the studies was rated as being of medium quality, meaning that there are important areas to improve upon. For instance, only a few studies reported measures of uncertainty for selected estimates, which prohibits a complete meta-analytical summary of cost estimates.
- Those who abuse alcohol may show signs of intoxication or experience withdrawal symptoms after they stop drinking alcohol.
- It would also take away one of the major and repeated criticisms of cost studies [55], which we have addressed in this contribution.
- A variety of factors which affect the levels and patterns of alcohol consumption and the magnitude of alcohol-related problems in populations have been identified at individual and societal levels.
- Alcohol is a psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties that has been widely used in many cultures for centuries.
- Using data from early waves of National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, Grossman and colleagues (1987) and Coate and Grossman (1988) were the first to examine the impact of price on alcohol use among adolescents.
This was repeated for all categories of the same level, e.g. outpatient or medication costs. Second, we summarized how many of the possible cost categories at this level were considered in each study, weighted by the relative contribution of each category (calculated in the first step). This resulted in the study-specific weight for level 3 (in this example, health care costs).
The cost of alcohol consumption
From a public finance perspective, raising alcohol taxes also is among the most cost-effective instruments to reduce harm and promote public health (Anderson et al. 2009). Some of these studies specifically have focused on high-risk populations, such as adolescents and young adults. In total, 12 models were performed for (1) two different cost indicators as dependent variables; (2) two different alcohol indicators as independent variables; and (3) for total direct and indirect costs. One commonly used concept in economic studies exploring the impacts of prices on drinking behaviors is termed the price elasticity of the demand for alcohol.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
For example, the nominal State beer excise tax in Wyoming was 2 cents per gallon in 2009, and it had been set since 1963. Similar situations exist in (but are not limited to) Missouri, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Kentucky. Estimates indicate that from 1951 to 2009, the average real State beer tax has fallen from almost 42 cents per gallon to just over 11 cents per gallon (see figure 2) (Beer Institute 2009). This study not only summarized the total economic costs of alcohol consumption but also systematically quantified the contribution of various key cost components. Furthermore, this study is the first to overcome the limitations of previous reviews (e.g. Rehm et al. and Thavorncharoensap [8, 9]) related to methodological differences in cost estimation, thus eliminating a key barrier to compare costs across studies and countries.
What About Costs and Insurance?
The expenses are not limited to loss of wages, either; they can also involve legal fees and fines for crimes committed under the influence of alcohol. Extensive literature exists of studies assessing the effects of changes in price on the levels of alcohol use and abuse. Because of the vast amount of literature available, this review focuses mainly on findings from published meta-analyses and reviews and only uses individual studies for illustration, where relevant. Average real Federal excise taxes (in dollars per barrel) on alcoholic beverages 1951–2009. Achieving a reduction in the harmful use of alcohol in line with the targets included in the SDG 2030 agenda and the WHO Global Monitoring Framework for Noncommunicable Diseases requires concerted action by countries, effective global governance and appropriate engagement of all relevant stakeholders. By working together effectively, the negative health and social consequences of alcohol can be reduced.
Discover how many people with alcohol use disorder in the United States receive treatment across age groups and demographics. Explore how many people ages 18 to 25 engage in alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. Learn how many people ages 12 to 20 engage in underage alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. crystal meth: signs of use and addiction A typical 25-ounce (750 ml) bottle of table wine holds about 5 “standard” drinks, each containing about 5 ounces. This serving size of wine contains about the same amount of alcohol as a 12-ounce regular beer or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits. Use this calculator to figure out your average spending on alcohol per week, month, and year.
Excessive drinking increases the risk of developing an addiction to alcohol as well as numerous health problems, such as heart disease and liver damage. In addition to these risks, excessive drinking may make a person more likely to engage in risky behaviors that place them at further risk for health complications or causing harm to others. Men are more likely than women to consume alcohol heavily, and excessive drinking is most common among people ages 18 to 34 years old.