Typically we focus strictly on the addict and the family when we think of addiction. However,the damage done goes much deeper than what meets the eye. A recent study was released in the November 27, 2009 issue of New Mexico Epidemiology by Jim Roeber of the New Mexico Department of Health. The toll in New Mexico was $2.5 Billion in 2006.
Here is a look at some of the points:
* 993 deaths accounting for 27,000 years of potential life!
* These costs were 26 times greater than the $97 million in tax revenues collected from alcohol sales. Alcohol-related tax revenue covered less than 4% of the economic cost of alcohol abuse.
* $1,250 cost to every New Mexican.
* Breakdown of the death toll:
Alcohol-related chronic liver disease 271
Motor vehicle traffic crashes 148
Alcohol dependence 118
Poisoning (not alcohol) 97
Fall injuries 92
Other chronic disease 78
Suicide 78
Homicide 59
Other injury 51
The cost of Recovery? Effort, desire, and focus!
Go, Go, Go…
Dan 🙂