Costs and consequences of alcohol

Most people can enjoy a few drinks with family and friends at home, or in pubs and restaurants, without causing disruption to other people. But people who drink to excess by binge-drinking can cause anti-social behaviour, become aggressive or violent.

This has big consequences for the rest of us. Britain’s binge drinking culture costs an estimated £20 billion a year - including £7.3 billion in costs relating to crime and anti-social behaviour, and £1.7 billion cost to the NHS. The social, environmental, financial and health impact of excessive drinking affects us all.

The Social Costs

  • Affects people's quality of life.
  • Increases fear of crime and reduces people’s sense of feeling safe.
  • Increases violent incidents and crime, including domestic abuse.
  • Impacts on family relationships and finances.

The Environmental Costs

  • Noise caused by people leaving licensed premises and congregating around off license premises affects those living nearby.
  • Causes anti-social behaviour in the streets, such as arguing, vandalism and using the pavements as toilets.
  • Littering.
  • Criminal damage to local businesses and homes.

The Financial Costs

  • Increases criminal justice costs as the police, courts and prisons deal with those who have committed offences whilst under the influence of alcohol.
  • Higher health costs to treat those who have caused long-term damage to their bodies through alcohol misuse.
  • Busier hospitals with longer waiting times for those not under the influence of alcohol and increased ambulance costs during peak times of midnight and 5am over weekends.
  • The social cost of working with families to provide support in cases of domestic abuse.
  • Pilot schemes for referring offenders to alcohol treatment service to change their behaviour and to stop them re-offending. Cheshire's pilot scheme is funded by £82,000 from the Home Office.

The Personal Costs

  • The heartache of dealing with teenagers who have developed alcohol addiction or acquired criminal records.
  • Excessive alcohol intake increases the risk of becoming a victim of a violent attack or committing violent behaviour.
  • An £80 on the spot fine, a night in a police cell or even a criminal prosecution for being drunk and disorderly.
  • Being breathalysed, taken to court and prosecuted if caught drink-driving.
  • Family breakdown as a result of alcohol abuse.
  • A drunken scuffle can lead to more serious consequences – people can get hurt or even die.
  • Drinking in excess can leave you vulnerable and not control of your own personal safety.

The Health Costs

  • Severe hangovers, stomach pains, unconsciousness and even death.
  • Increased risk of liver disease, heart disease, strokes and some kinds of cancer.
  • Increased risk of depression and suicide.
  • Increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

The Police Costs

  • The cost of additional intensive, high-visibility patrols in towns and city centres.
  • The cost of test purchasing to target licensed premises and off-licenses that sell alcohol to under 18s
  • Operations which target adults who purchase alcohol and supply it to underage drinkers
  • Visits to licensed premises to ensure they comply with the law
  • Assistance with referral schemes, such as the Drug and Alcohol Action Team.
  • The cost of training officers to specifically deal with domestic violence cases, supporting the family and reducing repeat violence.
  • According to the British Crime Survey (BCS), more than one million violent crimes are committed by offenders who have been drinking, which prolongs our investigations and adds additional costs.
  • Investigating a sexual offence, that can have alcohol as an influencing factor, is estimated to cost tax payers £31,400 for each case.