Most people aren’t aware of the true cost of alcohol addiction. Sure, there’s a direct financial cost that they can calculate, but they may not even realize how high that can be. The total cost of addiction goes well beyond money. It affects jobs, communities, and, especially, families.

What Is the Costliest Form of Drinking?

Excessive drinking is one of the costliest forms of drinking—both in terms of health and financial impact. Excessive drinking includes:

• Binge drinking: 5 or more drinks for men on one occasion; 4 or more for women
• Heavy drinking: 15 or more drinks for men on one occasion; 8 or more for women

Not everyone who drinks or even abuses alcohol drinks excessively. Still, more than 61 million people reported binge drinking in 2023.¹ More than 28% of them were college-aged adults (18–25).

The Financial Cost of Alcohol Addiction: A Closer Look

The most literal cost of alcohol abuse is financial—and it’s not just the amount of money someone spends at the bar or liquor store. The CDC provided data on the financial toll that alcohol addiction takes on the U.S. The most recent statistics are from more than a decade ago, but the figure is still staggering: excessive drinking cost the United States about $249 billion in 2010.²

Adjusted for inflation, that would be more than $368 billion in 2025. Where does all this money go? Lost productivity, property damage/crashes and criminal justice, and health care costs.

Alcohol Causes Lost Productivity

Most of the cost—72%—of excessive drinking comes from lost productivity in the workplace. Excessive drinking and alcohol abuse can cause costly issues at work, like:

• Increased absences
• Mistakes
• Workplace accidents
• HR violations
• Employee turnover

While most of these issues end up being a higher cost to businesses (and the overall economy), they can also be devastating to people struggling with alcohol. They may not have enough savings to cover a loss of income. If they’re fired because of their drinking, they likely won’t receive severance. And, if they’re involved in an accident or HR issue, they might also face legal costs.

More Money Is Needed for Law Enforcement

The next highest factor in the total cost of alcohol addiction in the U.S. comes from law enforcement, property damage, and other legal expenses at around 17%. While the brunt of these costs is often paid by state governments, they have a major financial impact on everyone involved.

Excessive drinking can cause people to get a DUI/DWI, public intoxication, or any number of other charges. Alcohol abuse makes many people take risks they may not otherwise—risks that have consequences. Aside from the fines that result from court orders, they might end up with legal fees, having to report to a probation officer, or being required to attend rehab.

Drinking Leads to Higher Health Care Costs

Interestingly, the lowest contributing cost is health care expenses at around 11%. Excessive drinking has severe short- and long-term effects on physical and mental health. Some of the more obvious healthcare expenses might be the result of:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Self-injury
• Falls
• Car accidents
• Fights

Over the long term, alcohol abuse wears down the body. Liver, kidney, and heart damage can all occur. People who struggle with alcohol are also more likely to have anxiety or depression. They’re at a higher risk of developing cancer and other diseases, too.

How Much Does Alcohol Addiction Cost Texans?

The Texas economy lost around $18.8 billion to excessive drinking, around $1.99 for every drink sold, in 2010. But finances aren’t the only or even the most important toll. More than 13,700 Texans die from excessive drinking every year.³

Excessive Drinking Statistics in Texas

• 17% of adults binge drink, which is on par with the national average
• 13% of high school students binge drink, higher than the national average
• 25% of adult, binge-drinking Texans have nine or more drinks at a time
• 25% of adult, binge-drinking Texans do so five or more times a month

The Emotional and Relationship Costs of Addiction

Alcohol addiction deeply affects emotional well-being and social relationships. The emotional toll can feel overwhelming, and the strain it puts on connections with others often leads to isolation. As outward and social as excessive drinking might seem, the addiction it can lead to can quietly take over every part of life.

• Emotional instability: Addiction can cause extreme mood swings, anxiety, and depression, making it hard to feel stable or in control.
• Relationship strain: Alcohol abuse makes people more likely to engage in risky behaviors, which can lead to dishonesty, neglect, and broken promises.
• Isolation and stigma: As addiction grows, people often feel more shame and guilt. They might pull away, fearing judgment or simply feeling misunderstood, which results in more loneliness.
• Social loss: Once addiction strains relationships, it can cause them to break. People might break up or get divorced. They may have custody battles over children. They might lose touch with their oldest friends.

When someone loses connection with their friends and family because of their drinking, it can feel impossible to stop. Connection and community are two of the most valuable things in recovery and are often what people are missing most when they want to stop drinking. Taking that first step is hard, but it’s worth it.

Is It Worth It to Stop Drinking?

Put plainly, yes. It is worth it to stop drinking. Whether you drink heavily or even moderately, it can benefit your health to quit drinking. However, if you’re a heavy drinker or are worried that you can no longer control your drinking, quitting can save your life.

Even if you consider it from a purely financial standpoint, you’ll probably realize that quitting is worth it. Think of it this way:

• If you’re part of the heaviest drinking adults in Texas, you may drink nine drinks at least five times a month, totaling 45 drinks. Just drinking at home—Tito’s vodka or Modelo beer—you’re spending more than $700 a year on alcohol alone.
• Having some casual drinks between binge drinking occasions drives that cost up further. Even if you just have three drinks a day when you’re not binge drinking, you add more than $1200 a year to your alcohol costs.

Of course, you’ll spend even more when you go out and drink at a bar or concert. And your total alcohol cost is nothing compared to the legal, health, and social risks you take when you drink heavily. Don’t risk what you care for most. If you’re struggling with your drinking, reach out for help now.

Turn to Santé When You Need Help

We know that addiction affects everyone: people, families, and communities. That’s why we are dedicated to helping people overcome addiction and heal their connections with their friends and family. If you’re worried about the cost of alcohol addiction rehab, give us a call at 866.238.3154. Santé Center for Healing works with most major insurance carriers and, if you’re not covered, we can work with you to create an out-of-pocket plan. We can also help you complete any documentation you need to take a leave of absence from work, so you can focus on getting better.

Sources:

1. Understanding Binge Drinking. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Accessed August 6, 2025.
2. Data on Excessive Alcohol Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Accessed August 6, 2025.
3. Addressing Excessive Alcohol Use: State Fact Sheets. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Accessed August 6, 2025.