Alcoholism Costs Society More Than Money
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is influenced both by a person's genes and by his or her behavior.
Nearly 19 million Americans, or 8 percent of the U.S. Population, need treatment for an "alcohol problem", but only 2.4 million have been diagnosed with the disease, and just 139,000 receive medication to treat it.
One in four children lives with a parent who is dependent on, or abuses alcohol. Harmful and hazardous drinking is involved in about one-third of suicides, one-half of homicides and one-third of child abuse cases. Consuming at least four alcoholic beverages a day significantly increases the risk of developing any type of cancer. Alcohol abuse and dependence costs the United States 185 Billion dollars in direct and indirect social costs per year, with more than 70 percent of the cost attributed to lost productivity.
If you or someone you know has an alcohol problem, please contact Heartland Human Services at (217) 347-7179, we have counselors available to help.