Why I believe alcoholism is the single biggest problem in the U.S.

Scope of the alcohol problem:

· 48 million alcoholics/alcohol abusers in the U.S. (NIAA); more people than live in Spain or Canada.

· On any given day, 20-40% of patients in U.S. hospitals are there because of illnesses caused of made worse by alcohol abuse (NIAA)

· Mayo Clinic estimates that alcohol abuse causes or contributes to 100,000 deaths a year in the U.S. (4th behind heart disease, cancer and respiratory)

· 83% of inmates in U.S. prisons are alcohol/drug abusers; 40% of them will return to prison within four years of release without treatment. The number drops to 7% with exposure to AA in prison ( FBI). This does not include unreported domestic violence or child abuse.

· Economic cost of alcoholism in the U.S. is more than $250 billion per year (NIAA); that would underwrite the Iraq War for 2 years or pay off the current trillion dollar national defecit in 4 years.

· Divorce rate in the U.S. is roughly 50%. Alcoholism plays a well known, but not easily quantified role.

Conclusion: The combined effect of alcoholism and alcohol abuse on the country’s health, economy, crime and social harmony makes it America’s single biggest problem.

Where does AA fit in?
· Most durable treatment – 70 years old and counting.
· Largest following – 2 million members around the world
· Most effective – By consensus
· Least expensive – It’s free.
Conclusion: AA’s dependability, popularity, effectiveness and cost make it America’s single best solution.