Understanding the costs and treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence

Effective decision-making in benefit management requires an understanding of the economic burden of an illness. It is important to understand the impact that a disease has on the health care system as well as on patients and society. Furthermore, an understanding of the costs and consequences of available therapy options provides a basis from which to make decisions or seek additional information through further study. Thorough reviews of the literature are useful in outlining what is known about a disease and what needs to be examined further. This article reviews the economic burden and treatment of alcoholism. The review provides an understanding of true costs of the disease, what has been found to be effective in its treatment, and what treatments may lessen the economic burden of the disease.