Mindanao State University- Sulu

College of arts and Sciences

Department of Nursing

“How does alcohol misuse rob us

millions of dollars and lives?”

Health Economics with Taxation and Land Reform

HS 4

Almalyn A. Najar
Clinical Instructor

Tadzmahal I. Aming
Student

May 17, 2019

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol misuse is defined as a spectrum of behaviors, including risky (excessive) alcohol

use, alcohol abuse, or alcohol dependence. Risky or excessive alcohol use means drinking more
than the amount that results in an increased risk of poor health outcomes. It is estimated that
among adults in the United States, 58% of men and 46% of women have consumed alcohol in
the past 30 days. Risky and excessive alcohol use has resulted in approximately 88,000 deaths
in the U.S. from 2006 to 2010.

Alcohol use is the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the world and is one
of the leading causes of death and disability.

Alcohol abuse causes 3.2% of all deaths worldwide annually and also accounts for 4.0%
of the global disease burden each year.

Alcohol use is associated with alcohol addiction, other drug use, unintentional injuries,
physical fighting, criminal activity [ 4 ], suicidal ideation and attempts, and increased risk of
HIV/AIDS.

BODY

Alcohol use is a significant public health problem. In the United States (US) alone, 61.2%
of adults are current drinkers and according the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and
Related Conditions (NESARC), 8.5% of American adults have an alcohol use disorder. The
percentages of adolescents and young adults who report high- risk drinking behaviors are of
increasing concern. Among adolescents (aged 12–17 years), 21% are current drinkers and 10%
report heavy or binge drinking, defined as five or more drinks within a 2-hour period. College
students are a particular high-risk group, with greater than 40% reporting recent binge drinking.
A standard drink in the US contains 13.7 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol and generally is
equivalent to a 12-ounce beer, 8 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-
proof distilled liquor (ie, gin, vodka, whiskey).

Intriguingly, alcohol use and its adverse outcomes among youth is scarce in the
Philippines. Data from the WHO indicates that almost 9% of the Philippines population who are
15 years of age and older (estimated at 86 million) have an alcohol use disorder. In addition,
25% of males and 8.3% of females (15-85+ years) are heavy episodic drinkers, A related and
also largely unaddressed issue in the broader Western Pacific region, and the Philippines in
particular, is the role of alcohol marketing and its potential link to early alcohol use among
youth.

Binge drinking, defined as drinking five or more drinks on one occasion for men or four
or more drinks on one occasion for women, was responsible for most of these costs (77
percent). Two of every 5 dollars of costs — over $100 billion — were paid by governments.
 Excessive alcohol use continues to be a drain on the American economy, according to a
study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Excessive drinking cost
the U.S. $249 billion in 2010, or $2.05 per drink, a significant increase from $223.5 billion, or
$1.90 per drink, in 2006. Most
of these costs were due to reduced workplace productivity, crime, and the cost of treating
people for health problems caused by excessive drinking.

Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for an average of 88,000 deaths each year,
including 1 in 10 deaths among working-age Americans ages 20-64.

CONCLUSION

Alcohol misuse has been a worldwide problem since then until the present time and it
must be eradicated in a way of stressing people regarding its effects if over used, and
emphasizing existing law on proper use of liquor and other substance that cause mental and
physical intoxication.

Supporting mandatory acts for the aforementioned predicament must be considered by

the people such as: R.A No. 10586 an act penalizing persons driving under the influence of
alcohol, dangers drugs and similar substances and other purposes; and P.D No. 1619 in which
penalizing the use or possession or the unauthorized sale to minors of volatile substances for
the purpose of intoxication or in any manner changing, distorting the auditory or mental
processes.

Though the use of alcohol cannot be completely eradicated but at least use it in
moderation.

Here are some tips of preventing alcohol use:

 Recognize Triggers. Internal and external triggers such as places, people, times of day,
positive emotions, and negative emotions like frustration can leave you craving a drink.
 Don’t Keep Alcohol at Home. Access to alcohol increases the likelihood of drinking.
Fully- stocked liquor cabinets and half-drunk bottles of wine can set off your drinking
triggers.
 Engage in Other Activities. Instead of spending time in bars, look for other joints where
there are non-drinking activities.
 Cut Down on the Number of Drinks. Stopping alcoholism is a gradual process that takes
time. You should start by cutting down on the drinks you take per day or week.
 Build a Social Support Network. Surrounding yourself with people of positive influence
and
those that build your confidence is hugely important as it can help you avoid excessive
drinking.