Economic downturn increases alcoholism

During rough economic periods, people often cut out nonessential aspects of their lives in an effort to save money. The principle is especially prevalent in the unemployed, who reserve their cash until the next job, but also in those with jobs who fear the possibility of unemployment. Statistics from across industries over periods of recession and depression show that businesses, such as gym memberships and cosmetic procedures, take a dip when the money starts running dry.

One would expect this effect to carry over to alcohol consumption during difficult economic times. However, a recent study led by Michael T. French, a health economist and director of the Health Economics Research Group at the University of Miami, asserts that even during steep economic downturn and reductions in income, people still increase risky drinking.

This study contradicts previous work which found that job loss results in a decrease of excessive drinking due to a lack of funding. The discrepancy in data was accounted for by controlling for factors such as alcohol abuse and dependence, which skew the data.

The study analyzed data from 34,120 people who were considered a representative sample of the American population. The data was collected from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) between 2001 to 2005.

The data revealed that all parties, regardless of gender, race and age, were subject to the same fate. Men, women, African Americans, Hispanic, Asian and Caucasian individuals from the ages of 25-59 all showed the same trend of increased alcohol consumption with increased unemployment rates.

In an attempt to explain their findings, the group believes the tie between unemployment and excessive drinking is stress. Even for those with jobs, the fear of losing one's job leads to more drinking as unemployment levels rise.

Another explanation offered by noted Henry Wechsler, who has spent his life studying drinking habits and patterns, is that unemployment provides more opportunities to drink because of less time spent working or focusing on a job.

No matter the explanations that can be offered for this behavior, it is clear that excessive drinking is not the answer to increased anxiety over employment. Not only does it have adverse health consequences for the individual, but it also affects the people around the drinker.

However, beginning to drink during tough times does not guarantee an addiction. Addiction specialist Paul Leslie Hokemeyer says that drinking addictions are worst when an individual feels alone, and that being surrounded by people can help prevent an addiction from happening.

While Dr. Hokemeyer's words certainly are encouraging, they most likely will have little impact on the mass population. With the economy expected to remain at a high unemployment rate for the next few years, we can only expect excessive drinking to remain an issue according to Dr. French's work.